Improving Public High Schools: Evidence from New York

This study examined why differing public high schools have widely varying levels of student success. Two outcomes, namely the dropout and the college attendance rates, were analyzed using data for suburban schools just outside of New York City. While the dropout and college attendance rates proved most sensitive to community economic differences, they also responded to the way high schools were managed. Schools with smaller classes and less crime employing more experienced and qualified teachers enjoyed better outcomes. Teacher pay, however, was not a significant factor determining student success.