Discover Stanford For You: Educational Opportunity In A Changing City

TL;DR

Professor Francis Pearman discusses the impact of gentrification on underinvested schools, highlighting declining enrollment, disparities in discipline, and challenges in academic achievement.

Transcript

And welcome everyone and good afternoon. I'm Jennifer Dietz, director and associate dean for Stanford Continuing Studies. Thank you for joining us today for Discover Stanford for You. We're excited to bring you this event, which is being co sponsored by Continuing Studies and the Office of External Relations. Our goal with this series is to provide... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🏫 Gentrification is a relatively rare occurrence in urban schools, but its effects can have significant implications for enrollment, discipline, and academic achievement.
• 👨‍🏫 School closures and school choice policies can influence the likelihood of gentrification and its impact on underinvested neighborhoods.
• 🥺 Gentrification often leads to declining enrollment, increased suspensions, and disparities in discipline among different racial groups.
• 🤕 Academic achievement is affected differently depending on the age group, with positive effects on math achievement for elementary students but negative effects for adolescents.

Questions & Answers

Q: How prevalent is gentrification in urban schools?

Gentrification in urban schools is relatively rare, with about 4% of urban schools experiencing gentrification. However, rates vary depending on the city, with some cities having higher rates than others.

Q: How does gentrification impact enrollment in urban schools?

Gentrification leads to declining enrollment in urban schools, especially among Latinx and economically disadvantaged students. There is also a disproportionate effect on neighborhoods of color, increasing the likelihood of gentrification.

Q: Does gentrification affect discipline patterns in schools?

Yes, gentrification can affect discipline patterns, particularly an increase in suspensions among different racial groups. Disparities in discipline also become more prominent in gentrifying areas.

Q: What is the impact of gentrification on academic achievement?

The impact of gentrification on academic achievement is mixed. There are positive effects on math achievement for elementary students but negative effects on math achievement for adolescents. Reading achievement is generally not affected by gentrification.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Gentrification is relatively rare in urban schools, but its impact is significant for schools located in disinvested neighborhoods.

• Gentrification leads to declining enrollment, particularly among Latinx and economically disadvantaged students in gentrifying areas.

• Disciplinary patterns are also affected by gentrification, with an increase in suspensions and disparities among different racial groups.

• Academic achievement is mixed, with positive effects on math achievement in elementary students but negative effects in adolescents.

• Urban schools and policy context can influence gentrification and its effects, with school closures and school choice policies playing a role.