Equal Resources, Equal Outcomes? The Distribution of School Resources and Student Achievement in California

Equal Resources, Equal Outcomes? The Distribution of SchoolResources and Student Achievement in CaliforniaJulian Betts, Kim Rueben, Anne DanenbergThis report focuses on three crucial questions aboutresources in California's K-12 schools. The first is howresources vary among schools, measured in terms of classsize, curriculum, and teachers' education. Second, doschools serving disadvantaged populations receive fewerresources? And lastly, do existing inequalities in school resources contribute to unequal student outcomes?The report presents detailed measures of resources at the school and classroom levels and relates them tostudent achievement as captured in the first statewide administration of the Stanford 9 achievement test in1998. The study does find differences in curriculum and in the supply of highly qualified teachers based ongeography and SES. Low SES schools are also likely to have the lowest test scores. (Public Policy Instituteof California Monograph, February 2000.)Other Publications by the AuthorsJulian Betts Kim Rueben Anne Danenberg Usage and reprints: Most publications may be downloaded free of charge from the web site and may be used and copiesmade for research, academic, policy or other non-commercial purposes. Proper attribution is required. Posting UI researchpapers on other websites is permitted subject to prior approval from the Urban Institute—contact publicaffairs@urban.org.If you are unable to access or print the PDF document please contact us or call the Publications Office at (202) 261-5687.Disclaimer: The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of publicconsideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, itstrustees, or its funders. Copyright of the written materials contained within the Urban Institute website is owned orcontrolled by the Urban Institute. Document date: February 01, 2000Released online: February 01, 2000Source: The Urban Institute, © 2012 | http://www.urban.org