The story with an end: The role of reading for leisure in the reduction of asymmetries in academic performance

This study examines the impact of reading habits on student performance in Co-lombia. Using micro-level data from the Saber 11 test and linear regressions, the results show that access to books at home and reading two or more hours daily are positively associated with higher scores. Public school students generally score lower than private school peers, though those who read extensively can outperform them. However, neither books nor reading time fully closes the urban–rural gap.