Leveraging What-If Analysis to Improve Accountability Outcomes for Homeless and Intersecting Student Groups

• In Event: Accountability Systems and State Policy in Education

Abstract

This study applies a quantitative, secondary data analysis to examine how hypothetical performance improvements in the homeless student group could affect California school districts' accountability outcomes. Guided by a positivist epistemology and hypothetico-deductive reasoning, the analysis used publicly available data from the 2023 California School Dashboard (Park et al., 2019; Kalinowski & Pelakh, 2023). Through a what-if scenario framework, the study identified cases where small improvements in outcomes for homeless youth could shift performance indicators for multiple intersecting student groups impacting district accountability outcomes. Results suggest that local educational agencies can use this low-data-intensity approach to inform strategic planning. Findings highlight how addressing the needs of students experiencing homelessness may lead to broader systemic improvement (Moore et al., 2022).

Authors

• Tacey Rodgers, Solano County Office of Education

• Joseph Knapp, Solano County Office of Education