Hungary Roma children perform badly not due to the colour of their skin

June 10, 2011

Comment: The article summarizes the findings of a research performed by two Hungarian economists who have taken a database created by the research institute TARKI ‘life-span analysis’ and compared it to appropriate data from the national competency measurements of students in schools. Their paper was published in the American Economic Review. It is the first time that statistically reliable measurements appear in international literature showing the difference in school performance between Roma and non-Roma children. The research showed that there is a significant gap of Roma students in 8th grade both in understanding texts and in mathematics. On the other hand researchers also concluded that this gap is not due to ethnicity but to well-defined social factors: early childhood environment that is not conducive to developing skills, much worse health status of Roma children at birth and in early childhood and poor school environments.

Based on the findings – the article claims – a clear social policy can be developed: early childhood education that build appropriate skills of Roma children, reduction of segregation in schools, and mother-child health programs to improve their health.

While the article merely summarizes the findings of the research, the research itself is significant for its indisputable data: social policy makers and NGOs alike often claim that interventions are not well targeted due to a lack of available, reliable data. This research is based on a national sample and national educational tests.

Also, the research – once again – helps dispel the prejudices that often lead to Roma children being labelled as having mild mental disability.

The research itself can be downloaded (under certain conditions) from the American Economic Review: Kertesi, Gábor, and Gábor Kézdi. 2011. “The Roma/Non-Roma Test Score Gap in Hungary.” American Economic Review, 101(3): 519–25.