The project studies how children's exposure to certain family and institutional conditions modifies genetic predispositions in education by analyzing the grade point averages (GPA), school dropout, secondary education selection, and educational attainment. The interaction effects between social context and genetics for education are studied by comparing different birth cohorts and countries where education systems differ. The study uses data from Finland, Germany, Great Britain, and Australia. In the project, genetic and social environment effects are distinguished with twin and adoption design as well as using polygenic risk scores. The results provide new insights into how social conditions and genetic factors are connected to education at critical stages of childhood and youth. The results can be applied to the evaluation and development of the Finnish education system as well as the prevention of social exclusion.

2023

2027