Joseph Workman (University of Missouri–Kansas City)

Inequality Begets Inequality: Income Inequality and Socioeconomic Achievement Gradients across the United States

Abstract: Social scientists have found income inequality is associated with an array of health and social problems, however the implications of income inequality for educational outcomes have not been investigated as thoroughly as other domains. Does more inequality in the adult population undermine equality of opportunity among the next generation? This study uses regional variation in the United States (states/counties) to investigate the implications of income inequality for children’s 1) average levels of mathematics and reading achievement and 2) socioeconomic disparities in mathematics and reading achievement.