Review of School Segregation on School Report Cards: Who Are We Grading Anyway?

An NEPC Review funded by the Great Lakes Center

Key Takeaway: Urban Institute report raises questions in highlighting how policymakers can use measurement and accountability to improve student outcomes.

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (December 10, 2024) - A recent Urban Institute report examines proposed legislation in North Carolina that would add a "proportionality score" to the state accountability system, measuring how closely a school’s racial demographics match those of the surrounding county. James Noonan of Salem State University reviewed School Segregation on School Report Cards: Who Are We Grading Anyway? and found it to be logical but somewhat under-explained.

Using publicly available data, the report examines how scores would vary depending on the population to which schools are compared. This "what if" exercise highlights the control policymakers have over what is measured and how, showing how small changes to formulas can shift the story data tell about schools. While the report does not recommend the best formulas, it raises important questions for policymakers to consider when evaluating trade-offs.

The report logically concludes that changes to the formula would shift schools' distribution across categories; however, Professor Noonan emphasizes the need for caution, noting that

such control could become a liability if not carefully managed. While the report offers valuable insights, policymakers must avoid manipulating formulas for optimal outcomes and instead prioritize thoughtful, intentional policymaking

Find the review, by James Noonan, at:

https://www.greatlakescenter.org

Find School Segregation on School Report Cards: Who Are We Grading Anyway?, written by Jay Carter and Leonardo Restrepo and published by Urban Institute, at: https://www.urban.org/research/publication/school-segregation-school-report-cards-who-are-we-grading-anyway

NEPC Reviews ( https://nepc.colorado.edu/reviews ) provide the public, policymakers, and the press with timely, academically sound reviews of selected publications. NEPC Reviews are made possible in part by support provided by the Great Lakes Center for Education Research and Practice: http://www.greatlakescenter.org

The mission of the Great Lakes Center for Education Research & Practice is to support and disseminate high-quality research and reviews of research for the purpose of informing education policy and to develop research-based resources for use by those who advocate for education reform.

Visit the Great Lakes Center website at GreatLakesCenter.org

Contacts

Michelle Renee Valladares

James Noonan