Influence of Quality of Life on Student Achievement

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to measure the influence of economic home factors on student achievement. Economic home factors are analysed as one of dimensions of quality of life. Since the concept of quality of life is wide, only one of its dimensions – economic home factors – was chosen for the analysis. Moreover, one of the tasks set was to measure the connection between economic home factor and student achievement. In Lithuania, research on quality of life has expanded over the last decade, particularly in health sciences and sociology. However, analysis of quality of life is particularly rare in education field. Therefore, education field was chosen for this research. Methods of the research: questionnaire, tests. Research instruments: tests on mathematical, reading, and scientific literacy. Students of the 10th grade took part in the survey. Sample: 420 respondents from 139 schools of Lithuania. The research revealed that economic home factor, as one of the dimensions of the quality of life, has strong influence on student achievement. Comparison between different learning subjects showed that economic home background is best reflected in the higher results of reading literacy. Regarding students’ living location, the strongest impact of economic factor on the learning outcomes was observed for those living in the urban area. Comparison between genders showed that economic home factor has stronger relationship with boys’ achievements than with girls’ achievements.