Hierarchical Organization and School Academic Achievement in Medellin: An Analysis from the Educational Production Function

In this paper we are interested in investigating the student's performance in the ICFES test in Medellin, taking into account different inputs and the interaction between these inputs and outcomes. We characterize the teaching process by assuming that it could be described by an academic achievement production function and considering the educational hierarchical organization. We use the information contained in a survey applied to 732 teachers and 105 principals. Additionally, this survey contains information about the relationship between students, parents, teachers and principals. Our results suggest that academic achievement is improved by introducing institutional changes; which, in turn, strength the commitment of the actors involved in the educational process, as well as the quality of the initial condition among the students.