Analyzing Educational Achievement Gaps in the Mississippi Delta in Comparison to Other Mississippi Regions

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Hidden Inequalities: Poverty, Parenting, and School Performance (Table 3)

Abstract

Our study aims to analyze the disparities in student achievement and funding changes between the Delta and non-Delta districts in Mississippi before and after the pandemic, considering the state's socioeconomic conditions. It covers 2019 to 2022 and uses data from the Stanford Education Data Archive (SEDA) and the National Center for Education Statistics. Our findings confirm notable differences in academic achievement, financial dynamics, and neighborhood attributes between the two types of districts. By applying a critical geography lens, we investigate the relationship between economic conditions, academic achievement, and financial shifts, providing a transdisciplinary perspective on the interconnections among space, race, and educational institutions. This work underscores the need for continued investigation in this domain.

Authors

• Laura Garza, University of Memphis

• Charisse A. Gulosino, University of Memphis