STANFORD, Calif., Dec. 22 (UPI) -- Thousands of U.S. schools fall short of new federal standards because their diverse student body triggers sanctions more readily, a new study shows.
The No Child Left Behind Act, championed by President George W. Bush and approved with bipartisan support almost two years ago, tries to pinpoint schools that fail to boost achievement.
More than 3,000 of California's 7,669 schools were deemed "needing improvement" by Washington this fall.
But the study released Monday reveals schools serving more than one student subgroup -- whether in suburban or urban areas -- face longer odds in reaching federal growth standards, even when achievement levels are identical.
The study was conducted by Policy Analysis for California Education, an institute based at Stanford University and the University of California.
Middle-class high schools serving just two student groups, such as white and learning-disabled children, were one-fifth more likely to meet growth targets than schools serving two additional groups.
