Structural estimates of the intergenerational education correlation<FNR HREF="fn1"></FNR><FN ID="fn1"><P>An earlier version of this paper was presented at the conference 'The Econometrics of Strategic Decision Making' held at Yale University (Cowles Foundation) in May 2000.</FN>

Using a structural dynamic programming model, we investigate the relative importance of family background variables and individual specific abilities in explaining cross-sectional differences in schooling attainments and wages. Each type of ability is the sum of one component correlated with family background variables and a residual (orthogonal) component which is purely individual specific. Household background variables (especially parents' education) account for 68% of the explained cross-sectional variations in schooling attainments, while ability correlated with background variables accounts for 17% and pure individual specific ability accounts for 15%. Interestingly, individual differences in wages are mostly explained by pure individual specific abilities as they account for as much as 73% of the explained variations in wages. Family background variables account for only 19%, while ability endowments correlated with family background account for 8%. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.