A new body of sociological research is finding that northern and rural youth, and in particular, low-SES youth, face difficulties accessing higher levels of postsecondary education and lucrative fields of study such as the STEMs. However, existing research has yet to systematically measure the skills proficiencies of youth in these regions nor have we understood the factors which might account for regional differences. We draw on multiple cycles of Statistics Canada's Youth in Transition Survey, Cohort A linked to the Programme for International Student Assessment scores to investigate how location of residence impacts skills proficiencies at age 15 in math, science, and reading outcomes. Overall, our results point to three key findings. First, southern youth outperform northern youth in mathematics skills. Second, we uncover a southern (both urban and rural) and northern urban advantage in reading proficiencies. Third, in science literacy, southern and northern urban youth experience significant advantages over youth from northern rural locations. While some of the skills differences are attributable to parenting styles, parental socioeconomic status, student academics, and province of residence, they are not completely attenuated by these factors. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for future research and public policy.

中文翻译：

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注意差距：检查加拿大北部和农村地区青少年的阅读、数学和科学技能*

一个新的社会学研究机构发现，北方和农村青年，特别是低社会经济地位的青年，在获得更高水平的高等教育和利润丰厚的研究领域（如 STEM）方面面临困难。然而，现有研究尚未系统地衡量这些地区青年的技能熟练程度，我们也没有了解可能导致地区差异的因素。我们利用多个周期的加拿大统计局青年转型调查，队列 A 与国际学生评估项目分数相关联，以调查居住地点如何影响 15 岁时在数学、科学和阅读方面的技能熟练程度。总体而言，我们的结果指出了三个关键发现。首先，南方青年在数学技能方面的表现优于北方青年。第二，我们发现了南方（城市和农村）和北方城市在阅读能力方面的优势。第三，在科学素养方面，南方和北方城市青年明显优于北方农村青年。虽然一些技能差异可归因于养育方式、父母社会经济地位、学生学术和居住省份，但这些因素并未完全削弱它们。最后，我们讨论了对未来研究和公共政策的影响。学生学术和居住省份，它们并没有被这些因素完全削弱。最后，我们讨论了对未来研究和公共政策的影响。学生学术和居住省份，它们并没有被这些因素完全削弱。最后，我们讨论了对未来研究和公共政策的影响。