scholarly journals Socioeconomic Status and Student Achievement in Primary School Mathematics: A Case Study of Two New Zealand Schools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Student Achievement ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Mathematics Achievement ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Opportunities To Learn ◽  
Collective Case Study

<p>Existing research consistently identifies large differences in mathematics achievement between students from high and low socioeconomic status backgrounds. The link between socioeconomic status and student achievement has been repeatedly acknowledged throughout the literature, but reasons for this link are not yet fully understood. This study builds on existing international research, which identifies a large number of potential key influences for the disparity in mathematics achievement. The aim of this study was to identify which of the potentially key influences were possibly influencing student mathematics achievement in a high and a low decile New Zealand primary school, thereby suggesting ways to improve student mathematics achievement in the low decile school.  Often, changes within education, including in many intervention programmes, are generic, made without identifying the specific needs of an individual school and its students. The tools developed during this research were designed to be used in schools, allowing evidence-based needs to be identified, and any changes made to be targeted at the specific needs of the school and its students.  This research was conceived within a qualitative paradigm, and followed a collective case study design, focusing on two case schools, a high decile school (Pīwakawaka School), and a low decile school (Whio School). Data were collected through classroom observations, archival records, interviews, questionnaires, and physical artefacts, using tools specifically designed for this study. The data were analysed using grounded theory, allowing theories to emerge from the data.  The data collected from each school were compared and two theories emerged. The first theory is that students in the high decile school appeared to be doing a greater amount of mathematics than students in the low decile school. The second theory is that students in the high decile school appeared to have more opportunities to learn new mathematics than students in the low decile school. Additionally, the findings suggested that, due to the complex nature of teaching, there was more than one key influence on student mathematics achievement contributing to each of these emergent theories.  This research suggests that teachers at Whio School may be able to improve student achievement in mathematics by increasing both the amount of mathematics students interact with and the number of opportunities to learn new mathematics their students receive.</p>

scholarly journals Socioeconomic Status and Student Achievement in Primary School Mathematics: A Case Study of Two New Zealand Schools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Elizabeth Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Student Achievement ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Mathematics Achievement ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Opportunities To Learn ◽  
Collective Case Study

<p>Existing research consistently identifies large differences in mathematics achievement between students from high and low socioeconomic status backgrounds. The link between socioeconomic status and student achievement has been repeatedly acknowledged throughout the literature, but reasons for this link are not yet fully understood. This study builds on existing international research, which identifies a large number of potential key influences for the disparity in mathematics achievement. The aim of this study was to identify which of the potentially key influences were possibly influencing student mathematics achievement in a high and a low decile New Zealand primary school, thereby suggesting ways to improve student mathematics achievement in the low decile school.  Often, changes within education, including in many intervention programmes, are generic, made without identifying the specific needs of an individual school and its students. The tools developed during this research were designed to be used in schools, allowing evidence-based needs to be identified, and any changes made to be targeted at the specific needs of the school and its students.  This research was conceived within a qualitative paradigm, and followed a collective case study design, focusing on two case schools, a high decile school (Pīwakawaka School), and a low decile school (Whio School). Data were collected through classroom observations, archival records, interviews, questionnaires, and physical artefacts, using tools specifically designed for this study. The data were analysed using grounded theory, allowing theories to emerge from the data.  The data collected from each school were compared and two theories emerged. The first theory is that students in the high decile school appeared to be doing a greater amount of mathematics than students in the low decile school. The second theory is that students in the high decile school appeared to have more opportunities to learn new mathematics than students in the low decile school. Additionally, the findings suggested that, due to the complex nature of teaching, there was more than one key influence on student mathematics achievement contributing to each of these emergent theories.  This research suggests that teachers at Whio School may be able to improve student achievement in mathematics by increasing both the amount of mathematics students interact with and the number of opportunities to learn new mathematics their students receive.</p>

How Large Are Teacher Effects?

2004 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Nye ◽  
Spyros Konstantopoulos ◽  
Larry V. Hedges
Keyword(s):  
Student Achievement ◽  
Mathematics Achievement ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Variance Components ◽  
Selection Effects ◽  
Teacher Effects ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Achievement Gains ◽  
Teacher Effect ◽  
Teachers And Students

It is widely accepted that teachers differ in their effectiveness, yet the empirical evidence regarding teacher effectiveness is weak. The existing evidence is mainly drawn from econometric studies that use covariates to attempt to control for selection effects that might bias results. We use data from a four-year experiment in which teachers and students were randomly assigned to classes to estimate teacher effects on student achievement. Teacher effects are estimated as between-teacher (but within-school) variance components of achievement status and residualized achievement gains. Our estimates of teacher effects on achievement gains are similar in magnitude to those of previous econometric studies, but we find larger effects on mathematics achievement than on reading achievement. The estimated relation of teacher experience with student achievement gains is substantial, but is statistically significant only for 2nd-grade reading and 3rd-grade mathematics achievement. We also find much larger teacher effect variance in low socioeconomic status (SES) schools than in high SES schools.

How Do Technology Application and Equity Impact Student Achievement?

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Tak Cheung Chan
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Student Achievement ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Standardized Test ◽  
School Level ◽  
Technology Application ◽  
Student Socioeconomic Status ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Impact Of Technology ◽  
The Impact

This study examines the impact of technology application on student achievement in the state of Georgia. Technology application includes elements such as technology access, technology integration, and teacher technology proficiency. Student achievement refers to students’ standardized test scores in language, social studies, sciences, and mathematics in elementary, middle, and high schools. Results of Multiple Regression analysis yielded significant percentages of variance in student achievement that was attributable to Internet connected computer access. Another purpose of the study was to investigate the equity issues of school technology. School levels and student socioeconomic status were used as independent variables to determine if significant differences in technology application existed among the school levels and the socioeconomic status categories. Results of Analysis of Variance indicated that students of low socioeconomic status had far less opportunities to access Internet connected computers than students of high socioeconomic status. The level of technology application increased as students moved up the school level.

‘Others’ in diversified neighbourhoods: What does social cohesion mean in diversified neighbourhoods? A case study in Istanbul

Divercities ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 69-88
Author(s):  
Ayda Eraydin
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Demographic Composition ◽  
New Residents

This chapter examines how residents in Beyoğlu — the most diverse district in the Turkish city of Istanbul — designate others, and the effects of this designated ‘otherness’ on social cohesion in this area. It shows how residents in Beyoğlu use a variety of attributes to define others, most notably socioeconomic and occupational attributes, or whether they are established or new residents or come from the same hometown. Ethnic and cultural differences are not so important, although the aforementioned attributes are strongly linked to certain ethnic and cultural categories since most new residents are migrants with a low socioeconomic status and usually of Kurdish ethnicity. A majority of the respondents regard living with others as something positive because of the possibility of getting to know different people and learning about their cultures. Still, the rapidly changing demographic composition and character of the district is seen as a threat to local social cohesion.

scholarly journals Perceptions and measurement of playtime physical activity in English primary school children: The influence of socioeconomic status

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 438-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola McWhannell ◽  
Carmel Triggs ◽  
Samantha Moss
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
School Children ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School Children ◽  
Depth Information ◽  
High Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Low Socioeconomic

Children in areas of low socioeconomic status might face barriers to physical activity during school playtime in comparison to their high socioeconomic status counterparts. However, limited research within the area currently prevents evidence-based interventions from being targeted appropriately. This exploratory study aimed to assess and compare playtime physical activity levels and perceptions of physical activity in primary school children from two schools of different socioeconomic status. Fifty-three children wore an accelerometer during playtime for three school days while 33 children participated in single-sex focus groups to elicit their experiences of physical activity during playtime. Results revealed that children from the low socioeconomic status school spent more time in sedentary activities ( P = 0.001) and spent less time in moderate and moderate to vigorous physical activity ( P = 0.001) than children from the high socioeconomic status school. Despite some between-school similarities in their perceptions of physical activity, differences resonated in their reasons for taking part in physical activity, perceptions of the play environment and ideas to improve physical activity. These findings contribute to current research and provide in-depth information from active users of the play environment that could be useful to inform new interventions for schools of varying socioeconomic status.

scholarly journals Sources of indoor air pollution at a New Zealand urban primary school; a case study

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 435-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Bennett ◽  
Perry Davy ◽  
Bill Trompetter ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Nevil Pierse ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution

But that's not right, is it Miss? Colonization and conscientious objection through drama

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-262
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Anderson ◽  
Marsha Bellamy ◽  
Nikki Douglas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Conscientious Objection ◽  
The Other ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Primary School Teachers ◽  
Critical Thought ◽  
Study Process

Abstract This article presents an account of a short research project in which two primary school teachers and the researcher collaborated to design drama work to help their students navigate challenging journeys. A short case study of practice over four to six months, it was documented and considered reflectively in order for the practice to be of use to other teachers. From safe New Zealand classrooms, the two teachers, one with Year 6 students, the other with Year 8, used drama to look at the tyranny of colonization and at resistance by conscientious objection. The research followed a case study process over four to six months, in two schools. The two teachers in this study let their students imagine colonization and resistance, and helped them see with new eyes. The students were challenged to question different perspectives on right and wrong and to navigate their own direction with critical thought and empathy. In the class that explored the rights of others in another age through literature heightened their awareness and responsibility for their own work, and in turn deepened their responses to ideas. In the other class, while colonization had been the original commendable theme, the students made their own connections to their own lives and community, and revealed a degree of perception and insight that holds promise for the way those students will participate and balance their responsibilities as citizens.

scholarly journals Raising Māori student achievement in the New Zealand primary sector: Principals perceptions and strategies for effective leadership

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Vanessa Te Huia
Keyword(s):  
Student Achievement ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Educational Outcomes ◽  
Leadership Practices ◽  
Effective Leadership ◽  
School Principals ◽  
Learning Experiences ◽  
Primary Sector ◽  
Primary School Principals

<p>The role of the New Zealand primary school principal is fundamental in shaping the learning experiences of primary school students and the environments in which they take place. The decisions these educational leaders make can influence students’ opportunities for achievement and success directly, and indirectly. The Ministry of Education reports nearly one in five Māori children will not have achieved the basic literacy and numeracy standards by the time they leave primary school, and more Māori students are likely to disengage from education at year seven (MOE, 2013a). Improving the educational outcomes of Māori students is an ongoing government priority and numerous resources, initiatives and strategies are available to assist educators in raising Māori student achievement. The Ministry documents also demonstrate that school leaders greatly influence the effectiveness of school-wide practices and strategies aimed at improving the educational outcomes of their Māori students.  This qualitative study explores the perceptions that shape the decisions and practices of primary school principals when aiming to raise Māori student achievement in their school environment. It also seeks to understand how these perceptions manifest themselves within the school organisation and the connection they have to the success of Māori students. This study explores the perspectives and leadership practices of five state primary school principals in Wellington, New Zealand. An online survey via Qualtrics and semi-structured interviews were completed and analysed alongside school charters and recent Education of Review Office evaluations from 2013 and 2014.  Through framing the research within a grounded theory methodology, three significant overarching effective leadership themes emerged from the data: KO AU [ME] (Leadership of the individual), KO MĀTOU [US] (Leadership within the school), and KO TĀTOU [ALL OF US] (Leadership within the wider community). These themes provide indicators for effective leadership practices that could assist principals to raise the achievement of their Māori learners and align directly to the research findings.  Some of the major findings include leading schools to raise Māori student achievement requires principals to have a personal and professional commitment to Te Ao Māori as this enhances the likelihood that the learning environment will reflect these values. Effective principals’ align learning experiences within Te Ao Māori to a shared strategic plan for raising Māori student achievement with a clear focus on both students and staff as the success of each is inter-related. In addition, there is favour for a shift in current assessment measures in the primary sector to include a broader sense of what constitutes educational achievement, as this will enable principals and schools to focus on developing well-rounded students in an inclusive education system.  This study encourages all educators to reflect on these findings as they have the potential to inform school curriculum and policy, and enhance principals’ educational leadership practice to influence, transform, and raise Māori student achievement in the New Zealand primary sector.</p>

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