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JOURNAL ARTICLE
Why Education Matters
Paul W. Kingston, Ryan Hubbard, Brent Lapp, Paul Schroeder and Julia Wilson
Sociology of Education
Vol. 76, No. 1 (Jan., 2003), pp. 53-70 (18 pages)
Published By: American Sociological Association

https://doi.org/10.2307/3090261
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3090261
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Abstract
In this article, the authors assess why educational attainment is associated with many diverse social
outcomes. Their multivariate models incorporate linear (years of schooling) and nonlinear (credentials)
measures of schooling, socioeconomic status (origin and destination), and cognitive ability. The outcome
variables include attitudes toward civil liberties and gender equality, social and cultural capital, and civic
knowledge. The results indicate only modest evidence of "credential effects." The mediating impacts of both
cognitive ability and socioeconomic status (original and destination) are often substantial but even together
do not account for all apparent "educational effects."
Journal Information
Sociology of Education (SOE) provides a forum for studies in the sociology of education and human social
development.SOE publishes research that examines how social institutions and individuals' experiences
within these institutions affect educational
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Publisher Information
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3090261 2/3
3/2/24, 6:52 PM Why Education Matters on JSTOR

American Sociological Association Mission Statement: Serving Sociologists in Their Work Advancing
Sociology as a Science and Profession Promoting the Contributions and Use of Sociology to Society The
American Sociological Association (ASA), founded in 1905, is a non-profit membership association dedicated
to advancing sociology as a scientific discipline and profession serving the public good. With over 13,200
members, ASA encompasses sociologists who are faculty members at colleges and universities, researchers,
practitioners, and students. About 20 percent of the members work in government, business, or non-profit
organizations. As the national organization for sociologists, the American Sociological Association, through its
Executive Office, is well positioned to provide a unique set of services to its members and to promote the
vitality, visibility, and diversity of the discipline. Working at the national and international levels, the
Association aims to articulate policy and impleme nt programs likely to have the broadest possible impact for
sociology now and in the future.
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