Luke Duesbery

The Impact of High School Size on Math Achievement and Dropout Rate

The study explores the ways in which school size influences two important student outcomes commonly used in school effects research: growth in mathematics achievement and dropout rate. Past research suggests that smaller high schools can lead to increased benefits for students. In this study, multilevel analytic models of the first two waves of the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS) of 2002 are used to better understand mediating factors in the small school size effect. Results support the benefits of smaller schools: students in smaller schools were less likely to drop out than their counterparts in large high schools. The relationship between high school size and math gain, however, is curvilinear; students attending very small (< 674) or very large (> 2592) schools have the largest math gains, while students in schools with intermediate enrollment sizes demonstrated smaller math gains. Implications for school size decision making are discussed in light of these results.

The Effects of Tier 2 Literacy Instruction in Sixth Grade: Toward the Development of a Response-to-Intervention Model in Middle School.

The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to (a) compare Tier 2 evidence-based intensive reading instruction to business-as-usual instruction for sixth graders with and without learning disabilities who were “far below” or “below” basic level in literacy and (b) explore the development of a response-to-intervention model in middle school. The study took place in a large inner-city urban setting, where 100% of students received free or reduced-price lunch and 90% of the students were considered English learners at some point in their school history. Intervention students received intensive small-group instruction for 30 hours across 10 weeks. Credential candidates in special education provided the small-group instruction in the treatment condition. Results on oral reading fluency, less so for Maze reading comprehension measures, indicated greater improvements for treatment students, and students with learning disabilities benefited as much or more than the other struggling sixth graders. Educational implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.

On the Wrong Track: How Tracking is Associated with Dropping Out of High School

Academic tracking has been shown to limit the quality of student instructional opportunities, decrease students’ perceptions of their abilities, and negatively influence student achievement. These factors associated with academic tracking also may influence students in lower tracks to learn less and ultimately to drop out of high school. Few studies, however, have investigated academic tracking as a collective school-level phenomenon and an individual student-level predictor of school dropout. To date, no study has examined this issue using a nationally representative sample. In this study, multilevel analytic models of the first two waves of the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS) of 2002 indicate that, while controlling for student- and school-level differences, students in the lower academic tracks are roughly 60% more likely to drop out of high school. Academic tracking appears to disadvantage students who are Latinos, have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), or have lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Schools with a more positive academic climate, high morale, and a focus on learning, however, show a slight decrease in the likelihood of students dropping out.

Two Studies of Tier II Literacy Development: Throwing Sixth Graders a Lifeline

Two experimental studies at one urban middle school investigated the effects of the combination of Tier I and Tier II evidence-based reading instruction compared to Tier I alone on struggling sixth-grade readers (N = 109). All participants received free or reduced-price lunch, and 95% were considered English learners at some point in their school history. In both studies, Tier II intervention consisted of intensive instruction in word analysis, fluency building, comprehension, and vocabulary for 30 hours across 10 weeks. Results of both studies taken individually and combined indicated significant differences in favor of the intervention groups on oral reading fluency. The second study indicated significantly stronger performances for the intervention group on the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test—Revised (WRMT-R/NU) passage comprehension subtest. Tier II interventions and Response to Intervention (RTI) for older struggling readers are discussed related to educational implications and future research.

Graphical Literacy Moderates the Interaction of Decorative Dimensionality and Cognitive Demand in Computer-Based Graph Comprehension.

Scholars have argued that imprecise data graphics, specifically those displaying decorative dimensionality of data, may lead to inaccurate interpretations. Empirical tests of decorative dimensionality have produced mixed results. The literature also suggests that the effects of decorative dimensionality may depend on the cognitive demand of a given task. This study employs an experimental design in which participants receive three levels of decorative dimensionality amidst systematically varying levels of cognitive demand. Graph type and subject matter knowledge are controlled for by design. The hypothesis that the impact of decorative dimensionality on comprehension not only depends on the cognitive demand of the task at hand, but also on the users graphical literacy, is tested. Results indicate that graphical literacy moderates the interaction between cognitive demand and decorative dimensionality. A familiarity effect may also be present during the display of common two-dimensional bars.

Thinking critically about data displays

Abstract The quality of a data display can have an impact on the interpretation of those data. A survey of the literature indicates that data displays can vary in quality of accuracy, clarity, and efficacy. In this study we develop and apply an evaluative rubric to graphs in a sample of six education journals: three research and three practitioner. Results indicate that graph quality is typically high in educational journals, however, in practitioner oriented journals issues around graph clarity and efficacy should be addressed. Common error patterns are pinpointed, and four recommendations are made to authors and editors: focus on meaningful labels, increase amount of data displayed, portray multiple relationships, and elaborate with supporting text.