School performance in linguistically divided educational systems : A study of the Russian-speaking minority in Estonia and Latvia


Lindemann, Kristina



URL: http://edoc.vifapol.de/opus/volltexte/2014/5086/pd...
Additional URL: http://www.mzes.uni-mannheim.de/publications/wp/wp...
Document Type: Working paper
Year of publication: 2011
The title of a journal, publication series: Arbeitspapiere / Mannheimer Zentrum für Europäische Sozialforschung = Working papers
Volume: 143
Place of publication: Mannheim
ISSN: 1437-8574
Publication language: English
Institution: Außerfakultäre Einrichtungen > Mannheim Centre for European Social Research - Research Department A
Subject: 300 Social sciences, sociology, anthropology
Abstract: It is often supposed that the lower educational performance of ethnic minority students is due to language difficulties. The linguistically divided school systems in Estonia and Latvia enable us to investigate the academic performance of minority children who study in their native language. I explore how mathematical performance is related with individual social background, achievement motives, and school context in such educational systems. I use the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2006 data to analyse the mathematical performance of Russian-speaking and native Estonian or Latvian students. The results of a multilevel analysis indicate that the linguistically divided school systems in Estonia and Latvia have different outcomes. In Latvia, results show that minority students experience no significant disadvantages irrespective of whether they attend Russian or Latvian schools. In Estonia, my results indicate that students who attend Russian schools have a lower performance than other students. This is partly explained by the socio-economic composition of Russian schools, indicating that children undergo difficulties due to their parental disadvantages. Additional reasons might be related to learning environments in these schools. However, Russian-speaking students in Estonian schools also seem to lag behind majority students. Thus, the opportunity to study in their native language might have only a minor influence on their educational achievement, while the school or learning context seem to be the decisive factors.

Dieser Eintrag ist Teil der Universitätsbibliographie.




Metadata export


Citation


+ Search Authors in

+ Page Views

Hits per month over past year

Detailed information



You have found an error? Please let us know about your desired correction here: E-Mail


Actions (login required)

Show item Show item