OPPORTUNITY GAP: THE CORRELATIONS BETWEEN RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Semester of Graduation
Spring 2026
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
Secondary and Middle Grades Education
Department
Secondary & Middle Grades Edu
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Michael Dias
Second Advisor
Rasheda Likely
Third Advisor
Mei-Lin Chang
Abstract
This quantitative study examined the relationship that resource allocation, as an aspect of the opportunity gap that exists between minoritized students and White students, has with student academic success in public high schools located in four metropolitan districts of the Southeastern United States. An analysis was conducted on how per pupil expenditure (PPE), signature programing, and Title I status relate to student academic success outcomes, which were measured by biology End-of-Course (EOC) assessment performance and graduation rates. Publicly available data for 70 high schools within the four metropolitan districts were analyzed for the purpose of investigating any relationship between the researched variables. The results revealed statistically significant differences in student academic success as it pertains to differences in district, signature programing type, racial/ethnic school composition, and Title I status. Schools who implemented clear programming models such as STE(A)M, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Magnet consistently demonstrated higher levels of student academic success as compared to those who used mixed programming modalities. Non-Title I schools were shown to consistently outperform Title I schools in student academic success. PPE displayed a statistically significant negative correlation between student academic success indicators. The findings in this study highlight the essential role of resources structure and implementation in student academic success, rather than just the number of resources provided. Implications because of this study point towards a need to implement funding in a more targeted and strategic manner and improve program coherency that are all aimed at reducing opportunity gaps and increasing student achievement outcomes.