In the UNESCO tests of language and mathematics, the mean
value for Cubans was two standard deviations better than the mean
value for other Latin American countries. Another interesting feature
of the Cuban data is that Cuba had only one-fourth the number of
fights in the school system in contrast with the data from the schools
in the other Latin American countries.
The Cuban data are compatible with the concept that a good early
child development (ECD) program can improve outcomes for a mixed
population (African, Spanish, Indian). Cuba’s ECD initiatives begin
Scientific Underpinnings of the Importance of ECD in a Global World 69
Language score
360
320
280
240
200
Cuba
Chile Argentina
Brazil
Colombia
Mexico
Parents’ education (years)
14 8 12 16
Figure 6. Sociocultural Gradients for Language Scores by Country
Source:Adapted from Willms 2002, p. 91.
Table 2. Life Expectancy (Years)
by Country
Country Years
Argentina 74.1
Brazil 68.0
Chile 76.0
Cuba 76.7
Mexico 73.3
Source:Fukuda-Parr 2004.