Ludger Woessmann
The Importance of School Systems: Evidence from International Differences in Student Achievement
Ifo Institute for Economic Research
students countries far better international achievement tests students countries due differences students bring schoolsocioeconomic background cultural factors like school systems make difference essay argues differences features countries school systems particular institutional structures account substantial part crosscountry variation student achievement first documents size crosstest consistency international differences student achievement next uses framework education production function provide descriptive analysis extent different factors school system well factors beyond school system account crosscountry achievement differences finally covers research goes beyond descriptive associations addressing leading concerns bias crosscountry analysis available evidence suggests differences expenditures class size play limited role explaining crosscountry achievement differences differences teacher quality instruction time matter suggests matters much amount inputs school systems endowed rather use correspondingly international differences institutional structures school systems external exams school autonomy private competition tracking found important sources international differences student achievement