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Improving student educational outcomes in Spain depends on managing resources efficiently and guaranteeing equal opportunities

The BBVA Foundation and the Ivie present a preview of results from their report on regional differences in education (“Diferencias educativas regionales 2000-2016. Condicionantes y resultados”)

Public spending on education across the Spanish regions varies greatly, with an annual spend of 2,824 euros (63%) more per student in the Basque Country than in Madrid.  Regional differences in spending on private education are also important, although its weight in overall expenditure is low.

The socioeconomic environment and resources of a region are key factors that influence educational outcomes. However, according to the BBVA Foundation-Ivie report, improving outcomes ultimately depends more on managing resources efficiently and guaranteeing equal opportunities.

The Spanish regions with the best educational outcomes are Madrid, Navarre and Catalonia, but also (with less favorable socioeconomic environments) Castile & Leon, Galicia, Aragon and Asturias. All these regions achieve above average OECD PISA results. Despite having more resources, the Basque Country achieves below average PISA scores and so is classified in the intermediate group.

The new study analyzes regional differences in access to education, resources used and outcomes. It also describes factors affecting educational outcomes and groups the Spanish regions into high,  intermediate and low ranking performers. The report is based on data from the Spanish Education Accounts database, recently updated to include data for 2016 and more detailed information at regional level.

Some key figures:

• Spending on education increased by 40% from 2000 to 2009, then fell by 14% to 2014, from when it picked up again, with public spending growing by 1.7% between 2014 and 2016.
• The Basque Country has the highest public expenditure per student: 7,320 euros in 2016, 63% more than Madrid, the lowest spending region (4,496 euros).
• Madrid is the region in which family spending on education is highest, at 57% above the national average.
• In terms of equal opportunities, Castile & Leon and Galicia perform best: 82% of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds scored at least level 2 in PISA tests.