ERIC Number: ED389760
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1993-Dec
Pages: 17
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Racial Achievement Gap in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Educational Policy Studies Paper Number 18.
Beckford, Ian A.; Cooley, William W.
The large difference in average achievement test scores between white students and black students is exacerbated in Pennsylvania by the fact that 90% of the black students are enrolled in only 9% of the state's 500 school districts. The nature of this achievement gap was examined, focusing on the variation of the gap's size as measured within a school. In 154 elementary schools that served both black and white students, the achievement gap varied from very large to no gap at all. Using statistical procedures for studying many factors simultaneously, it was found that of the 88 school and home factors studied, providing more opportunities for preschool and kindergarten experiences for black students seems to have the best chance of reducing this achievement gap. Research also indicated that home stimulation had a positive effect on student performance. These results reinforce the need for Pennsylvania to address the first of the National Education Goals, starting school ready to learn, seriously. (Contains 3 figures, 1 table, and 12 references.) (SLD)
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Howard Heinz Endowment, Pittsburgh, PA.; Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia, PA.
Authoring Institution: Pittsburgh Univ., PA. Learning Research and Development Center.; Pittsburgh Univ., PA. School of Education.
Identifiers - Location: Pennsylvania
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A