The College of Education announces the final dissertation defense of

Stacy Starks

for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy

June 27, 2016 at 11:00 am in 215B Ball Hall

Major Advisor: Ernest Rakow, PhD

THE EFFECTS OF SCHOOL GRADE SPAN CONFIGURATION ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT IN MIDDLE SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to determine if transitioning from elementary to middle school has an effect on middle school-aged student achievement. A multivariate analysis suggests student achievement is affected by transition dependent upon the percentage of minority students for both mathematics and reading. Non-transitioning schools with a high percentage of minorities scored higher than all other schools suggesting these schools perform better when there is no transition. These results lend support to the body of research that suggests K-8, or at least a transition after 6th grade, may be a better model where student achievement is concerned.