Determinants of educational achievement

We already know a lot about which factors affect the study success of secondary school pupils.   Social environment, sex, ethnicity and intelligence, for example, are important determinants. Much less is known, however, about the effects of personality, social networks, social comparison, self-regulation and motivation. It is important to map the roles of these factors as this will also provide a greater insight into the ‘leeway’ that schools and teachers have with regard to both the cognitive and the socio-emotional development of their pupils.

The research into these questions is based on a study following large groups of pupils throughout their study careers. The information from this study also forms the basis of evaluations of innovations in secondary education, for example the introduction of the VMBO school types, the ‘profiles’ in the upper levels of secondary education, the introduction of learning outcomes and core objectives for citizenship building and social integration.

 

For more information:
prof. dr. Greetje van der Werf
tel. 050 363 6657