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Education and Urban Society
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Student Achievement in High Performing, Suburban Middle Schools and Low Performing, Urban Middle Schools

Plausible Explanations for the Differences

Kathleen M. Brown

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Vincent A. Anfara, JR.

University of Tennessee

Kathleen Roney

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Utilizing a qualitative, multisite case study design and the theoretical framework of Hoy and Hannum (1997), the design and execution of this research investigates plausible explanations for the difference in student achievement between high performing (HPS) suburban middle schools and low performing (LPS) urban middle schools. Aside from the great disparity in SES, test scores, and funding, findings show stark contrasts between the 2 types of schools with regard to the technical, managerial, and institutional levels of the schools’ organizational health (i.e., teacher efficacy, curriculum articulation, student expectations, collegiality, instructional leadership, institutional integrity, etc.). Outlining quick fixes and easy-to-follow reform initiatives that are not so easy to achieve is a grave disservice and, under these circumstances, promoting best practices as an ecological package promotes false hope. The power of this study encourages us to move away from the structures per se and return to the deeper meaning and purpose under girding them.

Key Words: middle school reform • organizational health • student achievement

Education and Urban Society, Vol. 36, No. 4, 428-456 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0013124504263339
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This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 Education and Urban SocietyHome page
T. Mariage, J. Burgener, K. Wolbers, R. Shankland, L. Wasburn-Moses, L. Dimling, K. Kosobud, and S. Peters
An Exploratory Study of Reading in Urban and Suburban Middle Schools: Implications for At-Risk and Special Education Learners
Education and Urban Society, November 1, 2009; 42(1): 42 - 71.
[Abstract] [PDF]

Home page
 Education and Urban SocietyHome page
M. T. Orr, B. Berg, R. Shore, and E. Meier
Putting the Pieces Together: Leadership for Change in Low-Performing Urban Schools
Education and Urban Society, September 1, 2008; 40(6): 670 - 693.
[Abstract] [PDF]