Rising stakes and converging interests: the Saber Pro exam and the emergence of shadow education in Colombian higher education.
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| Title: | Rising stakes and converging interests: the Saber Pro exam and the emergence of shadow education in Colombian higher education. |
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| Authors: | Celis, Jorge1 (AUTHOR) jcelis18@alumno.uned.es, Moreno, Juan Manuel2 (AUTHOR) jmoreno@edu.uned.es |
| Source: | Higher Education (00181560). May2026, Vol. 91 Issue 5, p1903-1921. 19p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Supplementary education, *Standardized tests, *Educational coaching, *Educational equalization, *Higher education, *Institutional environment, Socioeconomic factors, Accreditation |
| Abstract: | This study examines the emergence of preparatory courses for the Saber Pro exam (SPE) within Colombian higher education institutions (HEIs). Originally designed as a quality assurance tool, the SPE has evolved into a significant factor influencing institutional reputation and accreditation, driven by governmental incentives and public rankings. Adapting the concept of shadow education, this work analyzes fee-based preparatory courses offered by HEIs, which mirror characteristics of private supplementary tutoring. Utilizing data from 2016 to 2023 and employing a balanced decision tree model, the study investigates institutional factors associated with the provision of these courses, including HEI type, accreditation status, socioeconomic composition of the student body, and SPE performance. Findings indicate that HEIs with medium or low SPE scores and higher socioeconomic student populations are more likely to offer preparatory courses. In contrast, variables such as urban location and public–private affiliation were not statistically significant. These results suggest that such courses are predominantly implemented by HEIs with greater institutional resources, potentially reinforcing existing educational inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Higher Education (00181560) is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Header | DbId: ehh DbLabel: Education Research Complete An: 194162311 AccessLevel: 6 PubType: Academic Journal PubTypeId: academicJournal PreciseRelevancyScore: 0 |
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| Items | – Name: Title Label: Title Group: Ti Data: Rising stakes and converging interests: the Saber Pro exam and the emergence of shadow education in Colombian higher education. – Name: Author Label: Authors Group: Au Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Celis%2C+Jorge%22">Celis, Jorge</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> jcelis18@alumno.uned.es</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Moreno%2C+Juan+Manuel%22">Moreno, Juan Manuel</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> jmoreno@edu.uned.es</i> – Name: TitleSource Label: Source Group: Src Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Higher+Education+%2800181560%29%22">Higher Education (00181560)</searchLink>. May2026, Vol. 91 Issue 5, p1903-1921. 19p. – Name: Subject Label: Subject Terms Group: Su Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Supplementary+education%22">Supplementary education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Standardized+tests%22">Standardized tests</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+coaching%22">Educational coaching</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+equalization%22">Educational equalization</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+education%22">Higher education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Institutional+environment%22">Institutional environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Socioeconomic+factors%22">Socioeconomic factors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Accreditation%22">Accreditation</searchLink> – Name: Abstract Label: Abstract Group: Ab Data: This study examines the emergence of preparatory courses for the Saber Pro exam (SPE) within Colombian higher education institutions (HEIs). Originally designed as a quality assurance tool, the SPE has evolved into a significant factor influencing institutional reputation and accreditation, driven by governmental incentives and public rankings. Adapting the concept of shadow education, this work analyzes fee-based preparatory courses offered by HEIs, which mirror characteristics of private supplementary tutoring. Utilizing data from 2016 to 2023 and employing a balanced decision tree model, the study investigates institutional factors associated with the provision of these courses, including HEI type, accreditation status, socioeconomic composition of the student body, and SPE performance. Findings indicate that HEIs with medium or low SPE scores and higher socioeconomic student populations are more likely to offer preparatory courses. In contrast, variables such as urban location and public–private affiliation were not statistically significant. These results suggest that such courses are predominantly implemented by HEIs with greater institutional resources, potentially reinforcing existing educational inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] – Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright Label: Group: Ab Data: <i>Copyright of Higher Education (00181560) is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| PLink | https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=194162311 |
| RecordInfo | BibRecord: BibEntity: Identifiers: – Type: doi Value: 10.1007/s10734-025-01502-3 Languages: – Code: eng Text: English PhysicalDescription: Pagination: PageCount: 19 StartPage: 1903 Subjects: – SubjectFull: Supplementary education Type: general – SubjectFull: Standardized tests Type: general – SubjectFull: Educational coaching Type: general – SubjectFull: Educational equalization Type: general – SubjectFull: Higher education Type: general – SubjectFull: Institutional environment Type: general – SubjectFull: Socioeconomic factors Type: general – SubjectFull: Accreditation Type: general Titles: – TitleFull: Rising stakes and converging interests: the Saber Pro exam and the emergence of shadow education in Colombian higher education. Type: main BibRelationships: HasContributorRelationships: – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Celis, Jorge – PersonEntity: Name: NameFull: Moreno, Juan Manuel IsPartOfRelationships: – BibEntity: Dates: – D: 01 M: 05 Text: May2026 Type: published Y: 2026 Identifiers: – Type: issn-print Value: 00181560 Numbering: – Type: volume Value: 91 – Type: issue Value: 5 Titles: – TitleFull: Higher Education (00181560) Type: main |
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