In the article, Difference in Student Achievement by Grade Span Configuration for Students Who Where Economically Disadvantaged researchers Carolyn F. Fiaschetti, and John R. Slate professors at Sam Houston State University investigated reading achievement amongst fifth and sixth graders both of which were economically disadvantaged. The schools researched were made of multiple grade levels (K-8), which were compared to single grade levels (K-5). The researchers were curious to find out if students living in both economically disadvantaged areas, and who were also required to make more transitions throughout their educational careers would suffer educationally.

The researchers posed the following research questions: (a) What is the effect of grade span configuration on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Reading test passing rates for students in Grade 5 who were economically disadvantaged in the 2010-2011 school year?; and (b) What is the effect of grade span configuration on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills Reading test passing rates for students in Grade 6 who were economically disadvantaged in the 2010-2011 school year?

Participants of the study were students, all of whom were enrolled in either PREK-6^th grade (elementary schools) or who were enrolled in single or double grade (Grades 4-5, 5 only, or 5-6) schools. The schools used in the study and therefore whose data was obtained and analyzed were all grade level public schools in Texas. Archival data for each of the schools were accessed through the Texas Education Agency Academic Excellence Indicator System. All of the data analyzed in this investigation was intended for students whom identified as being economically disadvantaged. Groupings were created amongst the grade level, and were downloaded as Excel files, and then converted into SPSS data files. The independent variable used in this investigation was grade span configuration grouping and the dependent variables were the passing rates in reading for Grade 5 and for Grade 6 students who were economically disadvantaged.

Once the research was complete the study showed students in the multigrade level schools had higher reading passing rates, almost 2% higher, than those enrolled in single grade level campuses.

I found this information to be very beneficial. It is eye-opening to realize that students living in economically disadvantaged areas are already facing enough stress, and constant change in their lives. To also incorporate a great deal of adjustment, and moving in their schooling will only create higher rates of stresses therefore leading to a decrease in their educational success.

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on multiple vs. single grade schooling. Which did you attend? And do you think it helped or hindered your educational success?