The “Significantly Worse” Phenomenon

Abstract

Students in central-city schools face many hardships and problems when compared to their suburban counterparts. To a large extent these problems and hardships prevent students in central-city schools from achieving their fullest potential. Students in central-city schools also typically score lower than students in other school locations on national assessments. This study used data from several National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reports to compare achievement of students in central-city schools, rural schools, and suburban schools in many content areas and in different years. Such comparisons led to the identification of the “Significantly Worse Phenomenon.”