How Methodology Decisions Affect the Variability of Schools Identified as Beating the Odds

Many states are attempting to identify schools that perform better than schools with similar populations. Such “beating-the-odds” schools offer opportunities to identify promising practices that can be implemented by other schools serving similar populations. This study uses data from the Michigan Department of Education to demonstrate how methodological decisions affect which schools are identified as beating the odds. Policymakers should carefully consider the methodology choices made to identify beating-the-odds schools to ensure that the lessons learned come from schools that really do perform better than expected.

This brief summarizes the full report, How Methodology Decisions Affect the Variability of Schools Identified as Beating the Odds.