Explanatory factors in the quality of secondary education: Analysis of a case in Córdoba-Colombia

Abstract

A correlational study with a quantitative approach aimed at establishing the link between observable intrinsic factors in educational institutions with variability in the quality of secondary education in 27 uncertified municipalities in Córdoba, Colombia. The sample was calculated based on a stratified probability sampling of 109 rural and urban schools. The data were acquired through a survey of the principals or educational directors of these schools, consisting of 34 questions. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to assess links between variables, and an ordinal logistic regression model with logistic link was developed. Among the institutional factors with the most links, it was found that: there is a positive link between the number of students per class, the number of students taking tests and the number of school graduates with the number of classrooms and the number of teachers. It was concluded that, at a 5% significance level, the number of school graduates, having an adequate and up-to-date library, having access to the Internet and having appropriate resources for the target population, increases the chance of achieving a better score in the Saber 11 test.