This study analyzed school district performance data from 642 districts in New York State to identify outliers performing better or worse than expected based on socioeconomic factors. The key findings were: 1) Most outlier districts with better than expected elementary or high school performance were located in rural rather than urban areas. 2) The outliers tended to perform well in either elementary or high school, but not both, indicating inconsistent performance across grade levels. 3) District size, income levels, and proximity to colleges were associated with outlier performance patterns.

1. Identifying New York State School
District Achievement Outliers
Craig C. Benson
State University of New York at Geneseo
Association of American Geographers Annual Meeting
April 8, 2014

2. Abstract/Background
Education then, beyond all other devices of
human origin, is the great equalizer of the
conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the
social machinery. Hoarse Mann (n.d.)
Is this still true today?

3. Background
National K-12 School Stressors:
 Financial/funding
 Not producing college and workforce ready graduates
 New standardized curriculums
 Societal/poverty
Question:
How are school districts responding to these stresses in NYS? What can be said
about current performances?
Are there school districts in New York State responding to these stressors better
or worse than what would be predicted based on a number of factors?

4. Study Space

5. Methods
 642 NYS School Districts data base creation
 Ranked by performance
 APM
 3rd Grade ELA Score
 Grouped into quintiles
 Sub sample of 91 intra-performance outliers
identified
 Spatial analysis of factors – urban/rural setting
 Analysis of outlier features

6. General Results
District /surrounding
community financial
status

7. Scatter of District 3rd Grade and Graduation
Performance
0
128
256
384
512
640
0 128 256 384 512 640
3rdGradeavg.ELAacoreranking
Graduation APM District Ranking
NYS SCHOOL DISTRICTS
0
5
1
12
1
4
2
20
4
17

8. RESULTS
• Two different levels, consistent or anomalous
performance
• consistent: high or low scores respectively
correlated with high or low income communities.
• anomalous: - strong performance in one but not
both measures. 90 districts
• Size made a difference for APM performance
among outliers
• Majority of performance outliers outside of
urban areas

9. RESULTS
The achievement outliers were
primarily rural
1:1 2:2 3:3
4:4
5:5

10. Results
Factors HS Better n= 44 3rd Grade Better n= 46
District size 1131.5 917
Median Income 53,321 51,261
% White Collar (median) 51.75 51.6
Adult Educational Attainment
( % BA or Higher)
21 20.9
Nearby 4 year college 61.36 % 64.44%
Pre- K Program 56.81% 46.66%
Urban proximity 36.36 % 42.22 %

11. Results – Mapped by Ranking Category

12. Conclusions
• In NY relationship between income and
achievement
• Differences between urban/ suburban and rural
performances
• Performance outliers diverge from expected
patterns – to do elementary or secondary
education better but not both – largely outside of
large urban areas
• In terms of New York State Education at the
current time: Place matters

13. Data Sources/Future work/Acknowledgements
Many Aspects that can be further explored :
• Comparison of education programs at outlier schools
• Case study
• Other factors tested for statistical significance
• Other states- National level
• What if any policy implications does this have? Income inequality maintenance?
Data:
• Horace Mann. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved April 6, 2014, from BrainyQuote.com Web site:
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/horacemann137201.html
• NYS GIS Clearinghouse
• NYSED
• US Census Bureau
I would like to acknowledge Dr. Darrell Norris for all of his assistance on this project