Assessment Report Roundup

Education Attainment

By Sarah D. Sparks — July 17, 2018 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

A massive new research analysis finds that formal education, in general, remains “the most consistent, robust, and durable method yet to be identified for raising intelligence.”

Children who have a higher early IQ are more likely to stay in school longer, finds a meta-analysis in the journal Psychological Science. But more importantly for teachers, for every year of education, students also gain on average one to five IQ points, with gains that continue into old age.

To put that in perspective, about two-thirds of adults have an IQ between 85 and 115, and only about 2.5 percent of adults have an IQ above 130.

Researchers looked at nearly 30 studies involving some 600,000 people but did not analyze potential effects of early education.

A version of this article appeared in the July 18, 2018 edition of Education Week as Education Attainment

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Special Education Webinar
Bridging the Math Gap: What’s New in Dyscalculia Identification, Instruction & State Action
Discover the latest dyscalculia research insights, state-level policy trends, and classroom strategies to make math more accessible for all.
Content provided by TouchMath
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School Climate & Safety Webinar
Belonging as a Leadership Strategy for Today’s Schools
Belonging isn’t a slogan—it’s a leadership strategy. Learn what research shows actually works to improve attendance, culture, and learning.
Content provided by Harmony Academy
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School & District Management Webinar
Too Many Initiatives, Not Enough Alignment: A Change Management Playbook for Leaders
Learn how leadership teams can increase alignment and evaluate every program, practice, and purchase against a clear strategic plan.
Content provided by Otus

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Assessment Should Students Be Allowed Extra Credit? Teachers Are Divided
Many argue that extra credit doesn't increase student knowledge, making it a part of a larger conversation on grading and assessment.
1 min read
A teacher leads students in a discussion about hyperbole and symbolism in a high school English class.
A teacher meets with students in a high school English class. Whether teachers should provide extra credit assignments remains a divisive topic as schools figure out the best way to assess student knowledge.
Allison Shelley for All4Ed
Assessment Opinion We Urgently Need Grading Reform. These 3 Things Stand in the Way
Here’s what fuels the pushback against standards-based grading—and how to overcome it.
Joe Feldman
5 min read
A hand tips the scales. Concept of equitable grading.
DigitalVision Vectors + Education Week
Assessment Opinion Principals Often Misuse Student Achievement Data. Here’s How to Get It Right
Eight recommendations for digging into standardized-test data responsibly.
David E. DeMatthews & Lebon "Trey" D. James III
4 min read
A principal looks through a telescope as he plans for the future school year based on test scores.
Vanessa Solis/Education Week via Canva
Assessment Explainer What Is the Classic Learning Test, and Why Is It Popular With Conservatives?
A relative newcomer has started to gain traction in the college-entrance-exam landscape—especially in red states.
9 min read
Students Taking Exam in Classroom Setting. Students are seated in a classroom, writing answers during an exam, highlighting focus and academic testing.
iStock/Getty