ERIC Number: ED582712
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2017
Pages: 203
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-0-3555-7107-3
ISSN: EISSN-
EISSN: N/A
A Comparative Study of Socioeconomically Disadvantaged and Non-Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Fourth-Grade Students in Reading and Math in an Online Charter School and a Traditional School
Mansheim, Richard Lynn
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Grand Canyon University
Few empirical studies explore how socioeconomic status (SES) disadvantaged students perform academically in a 100% online school. This causal-comparative ex post facto quantitative study examined how SES-disadvantaged students at an online charter school performed academically when compared with both SES-disadvantaged and non-SES-disadvantaged students enrolled in a traditional public school. Choice theory and how it applies to education was foundational to the study. Using archival data from 2011-2012 for math and reading on state-standardized testing, research questions compared of SES-disadvantaged students scores to non-SES disadvantaged students within two schools in one school district. The test scores analysis was by independent t-tests. The results for SES-disadvantaged students indicate significantly lower performance by online students (n = 43) compared with their counterparts at a traditional elementary school (n = 43); t = 2.33 and p = 0.022 for math and t = 3.57 and p = <0.001 for reading. Among the non-SES-disadvantaged students, results also indicate lower performance at the online charter school (n = 20) than at the traditional public school (n = 20); t = 3.22 and p = 0.003 for math and t = 2.95 and p = 0.005 for reading. No significant differences emerged between SES-disadvantaged students and non-SES disadvantaged students enrolled in the online school for math (n = 63; t = 1.65 and p = 0.105) or for reading (t = 0.89 and p = 0.378 for reading). Comparing SES-disadvantaged students and non-SES-disadvantaged students enrolled at the traditional elementary school on math scores indicated a significantly lower difference (n = 63; t = 2.58 and p = 0.012), but not on reading scores ( n = 63, t = 0.74 and p = 0.461). Additional studies should examine why online students scored lower on standardized tests. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Comparative Analysis, Socioeconomic Status, Disadvantaged Youth, Academic Achievement, Statistical Analysis, Charter Schools, Online Courses, Mathematics Achievement, Reading Achievement, Tests, Scores, Traditional Schools, Distance Education, Educational Technology, Technology Uses in Education, Grade 4, Elementary School Students
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Grade 4
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A