Clues to Proficiency

Why do some school outperform others? The largest impact on school performance is the socio-economic makeup of the student body.  Wealthier people provide enrichment that their less wealthy peers cannot. This show up in several ways, one of which is having schools that are better financed, with teachers who are better paid, with local money that is easier to use for whatever the schools decide. The reasons are like layers, piling one advantage over another.

Below, you can look at a snapshot of the patterns in Alabama.  Use the scroll bar at the bottom to slide over to the selectors for grades.  Click on the tabs to see different kinds of breakouts as well as references to other research on this issue.