Don’t blame poor neighbourhoods when it comes to an elementary school’s performance, says the Fraser Institute in its annual report card on schools across Alberta.
The think-tank says 10 of Alberta’s improving schools in its report are located in neighbourhoods that have the lowest incomes — including Edmonton’s Ekota, Eastwood and St. Elizabeth schools.
“Improvement can take place in any school, regardless of its characteristics, students or its families,” said Peter Cowley, the Fraser Institute’s director of school performance studies.
Ekota School showed the greatest improvement in Alberta by scoring 4.0 in 2004 to 6.8 in 2008 where the average parent income is $54,333. Edmonton’s Eastwood School also improved from a zero rating to 2.4 where the average parent income is $38,682.
