The Determinants of Success in Primary Education in Spain

This study reviews the recent literature on the economics of education, with a special focus on policy interventions. It also attempts to uncover the importance of school inputs, social environment and parental background on the outcomes of a standardized exam for all sixth grade students in the region of Madrid. We have data from all exam results from 2006 to 2009. These data can then be linked to individual level characteristics such as nationality, family type and parental education and profession. For public schools we also have school level data on variables such as number of students, teachers and their characteristics (type of contracts, experience), students’ nationalities, extra-curricular activities, and number of students needing special assistance.