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Schools and Educational Outcomes: What Causes the “Race Gap” in Student Test Scores?

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  • Valentina A. Bali
  • R. Michael Alvarez

Abstract

Objective. African‐American and Hispanic students often have lower test scores than white students at all levels of education. In this article, we examine whether school factors impact racial groups differentially, helping reduce the test score gaps, and whether school policies benefit one racial group at the expense of another. Methods. The data is individual‐level data from a school district in California. Multivariate analysis (FGLS) is used to study the effect of school factors and race on test scores, after controlling for individual and school attributes. Results. School factors have a small differential effect by race on test scores. The school policies that have a positive influence on minorities' scores often involve an environment where closer attention is paid to the needs of students. Conclusion. Most school policies have a small effect on test scores, impacting all racial groups in a similar manner, without redistributing benefits across groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Valentina A. Bali & R. Michael Alvarez, 2003. "Schools and Educational Outcomes: What Causes the “Race Gap” in Student Test Scores?," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 84(3), pages 485-507, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:84:y:2003:i:3:p:485-507
    DOI: 10.1111/1540-6237.8403001
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    Cited by:

    1. Stephanie E. Clark-Reyna & Sara E. Grineski & Timothy W. Collins, 2016. "Ambient Concentrations of Metabolic Disrupting Chemicals and Children’s Academic Achievement in El Paso, Texas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Isaac Bonaparte & Lucy Lim & Ephraim Okoro, 2014. "A Comparison of the Impact of Preparedness of Students Entering College and Students’ Academic Attainment between Selected HBCU and Non-HBCU," International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education and Development, vol. 4(1), pages 105-117, January.
    3. Claus M. Hoerandner & Robert J. Lemke, 2006. "Can No Child Left Behind Close The Gaps In Pass Rates On Standardized Tests?," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 24(1), pages 1-17, January.
    4. Leanna Stiefel & Amy Ellen Schwartz & Ingrid Gould Ellen, 2007. "Disentangling the racial test score gap: Probing the evidence in a large urban school district," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(1), pages 7-30.
    5. Isaac Bonaparte & Lucy Lim & Ephraim Okoro, 2015. "A Comparison of the Impact of Preparedness of Students Entering College and Students’ Academic Attainment between Selected HBCU and Non-HBCUAbstract: Longitudinal data collected from the National Cent," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 5(5), pages 56-69, May.

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