Variable

Variable description

Code

Sex

Single-item variable indicating the sex of the student.

1 = Boy, 2 = Girl

Academic achievement

(Outcome variable)

Single-item variable indicating the PECE result in GPAs.

Continuous variable ranged from 0.00 to 5.00

Prior achievement-4

Single-item variable indicating the result of the final exam in class 4.

Continuous variable ranged from 0.00 to 5.00

Prior achievement-3

Single-item variable indicating the result of the final exam in class 3.

Continuous variable ranged from 0.00 to 5.00

Father education

Single-item variable indicating the level of education of the father.

1 = illiterate, 2 = primary, 3 = SSC, 4 = HSC, 5 = honors, 6 = masters and above

Mother education

Single-item variable indicating the level of education of the mother.

1 = illiterate, 2 = primary, 3 = SSC, 4 = HSC, 5 = honors, 6 = masters and above

Time spent in learning

Single-item variable indicating total learning time in hour.

Continuous variable ranged from 2 to16 hours

Needed homework time

Single-item variable indicating needed homework time in hour.

Continuous variable ranged from 0.50 to 7 hours

The academic atmosphere at school

(perceived by the student)

(School-level variable)

Composite variable based on how much does the student agree with the following

statements:

1) Feel secured and comfortable at school,

2) Get interested in the classroom,

3) Teachers teach in a worm-class room environment,

4) Feel comfortable asking questions in class,

5) Teachers’ behavior are cooperative, and

6) Teachers encourage me to study in the classroom.

Initial code (five-point Likert Scale):

1 = never, 2 = rare, 3 = sometimes, 4 = maximum times, 5 = always;

Recode for composite variable:

1 = Low academic atmosphere at school if average point ≤ 2,

2 = Medium academic atmosphere if 2 < average point < 4;

3 = High academic atmosphere at school, if average point ≥ 4.

[c/f TIMSS User guide Martin (2005) ]

Academic atmosphere at home

Composite variable based on how much does the student agree with the following statements:

1) Academic atmosphere is nice at home,

2) Parents provide me all items of my choice,

3) Parents help me with all of my homework,

4) Parents always inspire me to study something,

Initial code

(five-point Likert Scale):

1 = never, 2 = rare,

3 = sometimes,

4 = maximum times, 5 = always;

Recode for composite variable:

1 = Low academic atmosphere, if average point ≤ 2,

2 = Medium academic atmosphere, if 2< average point < 4 and 3 = High academic atmosphere, if average point ≥ 4.

Student’s self-educational expectation

Single-item indicator variable based on how far at school does the student expect to go:

1 = SSC,

2 = HSC,

3 = Technical Education,

4 = First Degree,

5 = Master’s Degree and above,

6 = Don’t know.