Título en español: ¿El atraso en la educación pública primaria en Brasil está más asociado a la infraestructura escolar o a las características familiares?.

Bibliografía p. 53-54.

Different economic studies have shown the importance of education in improving the quality of life of individuals. Thus, in the 90’s, the public education system was reformed to enhance the quality of public education in Brazil and motivate student interest. This paper participated in this discussion by suggesting an assessment of the impact that school infrastructure and family characteristics have on age-grade distortions in primary education. Probit and ordered probit models were used for public schools in urban areas in the states of Sao Paulo and Pernambuco, using databases from the demographic census and the school census and National Fund for School Development (FNDE) transfers for 2000. Interactions between family characteristic and school infrastructure variables were explored to determine the most effective ways to retain students and ensure student promotion. Simulations were also made to assess the impact of enhancing school quality versus improving the socioeconomic status of families on lagging students. Results showed that Sao Paulo students from families headed by less educated heads of household and/or low income families would benefit more from public policies oriented towards improving school infrastructure. Reaching low income children in Pernambuco would require investments in policies aimed at improving both family socioeconomic status and school infrastructure. In addition, improving family characteristics has a greater impact on age-grade distortion in both states, but these are long term policies. Even though their impact is lower, policies oriented towards improving school infrastructure would achieve more immediate results.

PDF 232 KB