Understanding the role of cognitive constructs employed in reading in global math and science achievement
Özcan, Bahadır
We utilized PISA-2018 data from 71 countries to investigate the relationship between cognitive constructs employed in reading literacy (locating information, understanding, evaluating and reflecting, single and multiple thinking) and math and science achievement. We found that these cognitive constructs collectively accounted for 56% of the variance in math and 63% in science achievement, even after adjusting for gender, socioeconomic status, and country fixed effects. This means that the majority of cultural differences in math and science achievement (resulting from different education systems) can be explained by cognitive constructs employed in reading. We also noted that, at the country level, coefficients of cognitive constructs employed in reading demonstrated an interesting reconci...