kitchen table math, the sequel: Enduring links from childhood Math and reading

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Enduring links from childhood Math and reading

Abstract

Understanding the determinants of socioeconomic status (SES) is an important economic and social goal. Several major influences on SES are known, yet much of the variance in SES remains unexplained. In a large, population-representative sample from the United Kingdom, we tested the effects of mathematics and reading achievement at age 7 on attained SES by age 42. Mathematics and reading ability both had substantial positive associations with adult SES, above and beyond the effects of SES at birth, and with other important factors, such as intelligence. Achievement in mathematics and reading was also significantly associated with intelligence scores, academic motivation, and duration of education. These findings suggest effects of improved early mathematics and reading on SES attainment across the life span.

Enduring Links From Childhood Mathematics and Reading Achievement to Adult Socioeconomic Status
Stuart J. Ritchie and Timothy C. Bates | Psychological Science 24(7) 1301–1308 2013
I've been reading many abstracts of late.

3 comments:

Michael Weiss said...

Hard to distinguish causation from correlation in studies like these, though.

Barry Garelick said...

Suggest you might also read John Mighton's "The Myth of Ability".

palisadesk said...

Don't miss John Mighton's second book, The End of Ignorance.

The "JUMP at Home" workbooks are good for parents and homeschoolers, too. I had a chance to attend a presentation by Mighton and was very impressed.