The socioeconomic status of families and students' educational achievement

We analysed the relationship between socioeconomic status and academic achievement, starting from the premise that students belonging to disadvantaged family contexts tend to obtain lower academic results than those from families with a high socioeconomic level. In addition to confirming this relationship, we have examined how the school's educational action may influence it. The study has been carried out in Andalusia (Spain), using the results of diagnostic tests taken by 8048 pupils in the fifth year of Primary Education and third year of Secondary Education at the beginning of the school year 2006/2007. Information about diverse indicators of socioeconomic status provided by families has also been taken into account. The results confirm the relationship between achievement and socioeconomic status, showing at the same time a reduction of the intensity of this relationship for those students who are in higher levels of the educational system. In conclusion, we support the need to intervene from the school