Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/228767 
Year of Publication: 
2020
Series/Report no.: 
Research Group on Human Capital - Working Paper Series No. 20-04
Publisher: 
Université du Québec à Montréal, École des sciences de la gestion (ESG UQAM), Groupe de recherche sur le capital humain (GRCH), Montréal
Abstract: 
In this article, we document the evolution of the cognitive skills gap across Canada. We use PISA tests scores over 7 cycles, from 2000 to 2018, to provide an exhaustive portrait of the evolution of the tests scores distribution over time and by parental socioeconomic status. We find that the achievement gap between top performing students (p90) and students facing challenges (p10) is large. It represents about 4 years of schooling. We also show that socioeconomic differences in PISA scores, in reading, maths and science, are large but unwavering. In other words inequality by SES is stable, and decreasing in some years. There are wide-ranging variations in the size of the SES score gaps by provinces, a proxy for the extent of inequality of opportunities.
Subjects: 
socioeconomic inequalities
PISA
literacy and numeracy skills
proficiency scales
provincial education policy
education attainment gradient
Canadian provinces
JEL: 
I20
I21
I28
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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