ERIC Number: ED560069
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Oct-10
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-9883921-9-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Michigan's Top-to-Bottom Ranking: A Measure of School Quality or Student Poverty?
Spalding, Audrey
Mackinac Center for Public Policy
This study examines the state's "Top-to-Bottom" ranking, which has been repeatedly criticized by educators for appearing to be correlated with school poverty rates. Mackinac Center research finds that schools that serve more lower-income students tend to receive lower scores on the TTB list. These results matters because TTB rankings are used to impose consequences on low-ranking schools. This study suggests that Michigan should look at how other states rank schools in an attempt to reduce the likelihood of penalizing schools that serve lower-income students. It also makes the case that a choice-based accountability system is preferred, as it would allow students to escape schools that are not serving their needs and reduce the risk of penalizing undeservedly low-ranked schools. Data sources are appended.
Descriptors: Institutional Characteristics, Educational Quality, Poverty, Elementary Schools, Correlation, Low Income Groups, Scores, Low Achievement, School Choice, Accountability, Evaluation Methods, Financial Support, Charter Schools, School Districts, Geographic Location, Barriers
Mackinac Center for Public Policy. 140 West Main Street, P.O. Box 568, Midland, MI 48640. Tel: 800-224-3327; Tel: 989-631-0900; Fax: 989-631-0964; e-mail: mcpp@mackinac.org; Web site: http://www.mackinac.org/
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Mackinac Center for Public Policy
Identifiers - Location: Michigan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A