Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Comments

Paper presented at the 38th annual meeting of the Northeastern Educational Research Association, Rocky Hill, CT, October 18, 2007.

Abstract

This presentation is the first sequence of a three-phase study using a mixed method sequential explanatory strategy (Creswell, 2003). The study is research in-progress that investigates how resources can increase or diminish the value resources as they move through the education delivery system contributing in variations in its overall performance (Porter, 1985). The study is unique, because it combines, and is based on microeconomic and complex adaptive theories to examine resource utilization within school districts. This first sequence has two analytical goals and steps: (1) to verify the significant correlation, but with patterns of variability for district performance measured by student achievement as the dependent variable and Socioeconomic Status (SES) indicators as the independent variable Gaudet, 2000; Walberg, 2006); and (2) to identify distinct patterns of district performance over multiple years that include sustained over-performance, stagnation, decline and possible turnarounds. This is a simple regression analysis that utilizes SES as a predictor variable for district performance. The patterns of district performance are measured by comparing a statistically-predicted performance value with actual performance. The variability of performance over multiple years will inform the second sequence that examines the nature and strength of patterns of resource decision-making and utilization compared outcomes among school districts along the spectrum of socioeconomics, demographics and scale. Gaudet’s (2000) explanation for the variance between actual and SES-predicted student achievement for outperforming districts supports the central tenet, which is that, “some school districts add value to the learning readiness of their students” (p.3).

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Simpson, P., Gable, R.K., Kite, S.L. (2007). Patterns of district performance in student achievement: Connecting resources to student achievement. Paper presented at the Northeast Educational Research Association Annual Conference, Rocky Hill, CT.

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