Assesses the provision of universal primary education in seven rural villages in Guatemala. Indicates that although increasing numbers of children are enrolling in school, repetition and dropout rates remain high and that girls are at a greater disadvantage than boys. Suggests that families, communities, and schools provide input into policy…

Tests the proposition that family and personal factors, in combination with school characteristics, contribute to the academic progress of Quechua school children. Finds that family background and nutritional history are not as important in shaping educational progress as initially envisioned, but that duration of schooling is an important factor…