The Infuence of Grade Span on Student Achievement in Florida: A Quantitative Investigation. Issue 4 (October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Johnson, Jerry; Godwyll, Francis; Shope, Shane
• Is Part Of: International journal of educational reform. Volume 25:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 384
• Page End: 399
• Publication Date: 2016-10
• Subjects: grade-span -- student achievement -- school size; Educational change -- Periodicals; Educational change -- United States -- Periodicals; Education and state -- Periodicals; Education and state -- United States -- Periodicals; Education, Secondary -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 379
• DOI: 10.1177/105678791602500403
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2631-9675

Abstract

The creation–-through both new construction and reconfiguration of enrollments in existing facilities–-of schools with broader grade spans is increasing in Florida and elsewhere in the United States. The extant literature reports increased fiscal efficiency resulting from the approach, but the potential influence on student outcomes is largely unexplored. This article reports on a completed quantitative study investigating the influence of grade-span configurations on student achievement among Florida public schools (n = 3, 523). Results are interpreted to suggest that broader grade spans (e.g., K-8 versus K-5) might represent a viable policy option for administrators and policymakers seeking improved academic outcomes.