Introduction The influence of the family’s socioeconomic and cultural level has been one of the most analyzed factors in student achievement. While cultural capital and economic level are linked, previous research suggests they exert differential effects on learning. This study aimed to compare the influence of these two factors on the language and communication achievement of Mexican elementary and middle school students in the Planea test. Methods Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the data through path analysis, allowing for a precise comparison of the variables across different educational levels. Results The findings reveal significant differences between the influence of cultural and economic capital. These effects are associated with the type of school support and the specific educational level of the students. Discussion In agreement with previous studies, the results suggest the importance of evaluating these factors separately. The magnitude of influence for each factor shifts throughout different educational stages, highlighting the need for nuanced academic achievement assessments.
Padilla et al. (Mon,) studied this question.