View in EDS HTML Full Text PDF Full Text

Relative age, reading achievement and correlates of delayed school start in Nordic countries.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Relative age, reading achievement and correlates of delayed school start in Nordic countries.
Authors: Knudsen, Knud (AUTHOR), Strand, Olaug (AUTHOR), Wagner, Åse Kari Hansen (AUTHOR), Støle, Hildegunn (AUTHOR)
Source: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research. Feb2026, Vol. 70 Issue 1, p206-221. 16p.
Subjects: Reading level of students, Age, Disease risk factors, Danes, Countries, Education policy
Geographic Terms: Norway, Denmark
Abstract: This study examines the relative age effect (RAE) on reading achievement in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and explores the relationships between delayed school start and specific risk factors. Data from Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2016 and 2021, which include nearly 40,000 students, document that the proportions of late school starters vary. Denmark stands out with the highest level of delayed school starters (8%), whereas Norway at the opposite end has practically zero, making the latter a relevant reference point for RAE comparisons. Regression analyses suggest a systematic pattern: the greater the proportion of delayed students is, the more distorted the age–achievement link, highlighting the need to carefully consider the basis for RAE estimates in comparative research. Importantly, late school starters generally tend to be weaker readers at age 10 and have fewer home resources. This study discusses the methodological and practical implications of the main findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd 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: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Full text is not displayed to guests.
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 1
Header DbId: pbh
DbLabel: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
An: 190954517
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Relative age, reading achievement and correlates of delayed school start in Nordic countries.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Knudsen%2C+Knud%22">Knudsen, Knud</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Strand%2C+Olaug%22">Strand, Olaug</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wagner%2C+Åse+Kari+Hansen%22">Wagner, Åse Kari Hansen</searchLink> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Støle%2C+Hildegunn%22">Støle, Hildegunn</searchLink> (AUTHOR)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Scandinavian+Journal+of+Educational+Research%22">Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research</searchLink>. Feb2026, Vol. 70 Issue 1, p206-221. 16p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subjects
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reading+level+of+students%22">Reading level of students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Age%22">Age</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Disease+risk+factors%22">Disease risk factors</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Danes%22">Danes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Countries%22">Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Education+policy%22">Education policy</searchLink>
– Name: SubjectGeographic
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Norway%22">Norway</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Denmark%22">Denmark</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examines the relative age effect (RAE) on reading achievement in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and explores the relationships between delayed school start and specific risk factors. Data from Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2016 and 2021, which include nearly 40,000 students, document that the proportions of late school starters vary. Denmark stands out with the highest level of delayed school starters (8%), whereas Norway at the opposite end has practically zero, making the latter a relevant reference point for RAE comparisons. Regression analyses suggest a systematic pattern: the greater the proportion of delayed students is, the more distorted the age–achievement link, highlighting the need to carefully consider the basis for RAE estimates in comparative research. Importantly, late school starters generally tend to be weaker readers at age 10 and have fewer home resources. This study discusses the methodological and practical implications of the main findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd 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=pbh&AN=190954517
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/00313831.2025.2468179
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 16
        StartPage: 206
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Reading level of students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Age
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Disease risk factors
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Danes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Education policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Norway
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Denmark
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Relative age, reading achievement and correlates of delayed school start in Nordic countries.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Knudsen, Knud
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Strand, Olaug
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Wagner, Åse Kari Hansen
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Støle, Hildegunn
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 02
              Text: Feb2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 00313831
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 70
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research
              Type: main
ResultId 1