Fifth And Sixth Grade Configuration PDF Download

When school districts determine grade configurations of their schools, traditionally academic achievement is not their focus. Instead, most grade configurations are based on student growth, existing facility capacity, and transportation requirements. Since school ratings are based on students' academic achievement, districts should be aware if they are minimizing their students' achievement by placing them in schools with ineffective grade configurations. This study evaluates the affect grade configuration has on fifth and sixth grade reading and mathematics achievement. State assessment results for schools of various grade configurations containing fifth and sixth grade levels were analyzed. Data were collected from years 2005 and 2006. The results between the two years varied. In 2005, there was a significant difference in mathematics achievement but not reading achievement. In 2006, there was a significant difference in reading achievement but not mathematics achievement. Further research is needed to determine the cause of the variance.