Determinants of Student Achievement: New Evidence from San Diego

Publication Date: August 2003

Publisher: Public Policy Institute of California

Author(s): Julian R. Betts; Andrew C. Zau; Lorien A. Rice

Research Area: Education

Type: Report

Coverage: California

Abstract:

This report presents the results of a unique study conducted by the authors in collaboration with the San Diego Unified School District (the second-largest district in California). For this study, the authors compiled a highly detailed, student-level database that enabled them to link factors influencing student achievement in ways that have not been possible with the state-level data generally used in such studies. In this report, they examine resource inequalities across schools, explore trends in achievement, and, most important, provide detailed statistical estimates of the school and classroom factors that most influence student achievement.