Compositional effects in Italian primary schools: An exploratory analysis of INVALSI SNV data and suggestions for further research

Abstract

The EU2020 strategy, which aims at turning "the EU into a smart, sustainable and inclusive economy delivering high levels of employment, productivity and social cohesion", heavily relies on the human capital of its citizens. As a solid strand of literature posits, formal education is crucial for the development of individual human capital (among others: Barro & Lee 2001; Hanushek & Kimko 2000; Hanushek & Woessmann 2007; 2010). Indeed, one of the 5 headline targets of the strategy attains to reducing the share of early school leavers to less than 10% and ensuring that at least 40% of the younger generation reaches a tertiary degree. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.