Support Services and School Effectiveness: A National Study Using Schools and Staffing Survey (SASS) 2007-2008 Data

• In Event: Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring the Implications of Varying Interpretations of Large-Scale Reform Strategies

Abstract

This study explored the associations between support services and the overall school effectiveness. Based on the analysis of national Schools and Staffing Survey 2007-08 public school data, we found among others, that after controlling for student and school characteristics as well as other support services, the provision of speech therapists is positively associated with meeting AYP; that the provision of nurses is positively associated with average daily attendance; and that the provision of counselors is positively associated with the graduation rate. Therefore, the effect of each support service appeared to be outcome-specific and no support service is uniformly effective for all school outcomes. Policy implications are discussed.

Authors

• Jiangang Xia, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

• Diane J. Gibbs, Western Michigan University

• Jianping Shen, Western Michigan University