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Schools That Make a Difference
The C. D. Howe Institute has just released a study of Alberta schools that compares the academic performance of students with similar socio-economic backgrounds. By removing the influence of demographic factors, the author was able to estimate each school’s effectiveness. Table 1 lists the 13 most effective schools that include grade 9: seven are conventional public schools, three are private schools, and three are charter schools. Table 2 lists the top 22 schools that do not include grade 9: thirteen are conventional public schools, four are private, three are separate, and two are charters. Since there are considerably more public schools than private, separate, and charter schools in Alberta, it appears that it would be wise to foster the growth of alternative schooling options.
It is also clear that low socio-economic status need not doom students to academic failure. The families of Barnwell Public School students, for example, have extraordinarily low education levels - yet these students are achieving well. Clearly, the teachers at Barnwell Public School are doing something right.