Does it matter who your schoolmates are? An investigation of the association between school composition, school processes and mathematics achievement in the early years of primary education

摘要: Although many studies have focused on the importance of school composition for student achievement, there is still no consensus whether matters to and, if so, why. Therefore, present study investigates association between and mathematics achievement at end second grade in Flanders. International research points initial ability level, SES, ethnicity sex as potential variables explaining differences achievement. Moreover, some researchers suggest that schools ‘react’ their body reason we investigated possible processes. Data from SiBO Project been analyzed using multilevel regression mediation analysis. The results showed direct effects with respect prior math We found two small differential effects, indicating mean seems positively affect initially high achievers, proportion minority students negatively speaking a non-European language except Turkish, Arabic or Berber home. Furthermore, indirect were which SES keep regular contact students' parents this, turn, appears enhance Overall, our seem indicate early years primary education hardly matters.