Culturally Inclusive and Responsive Curricular Environments (CIRCLE scale)
Category: Student Well-Being
School infrastructure is a critical yet often overlooked factor shaping student health, learning, and well-being. This study examines racial disparities in public school building conditions across New York State using data from building inspections linked to demographic and fiscal data. Schools serving more students of color are significantly more likely to have poor overall conditions, inadequate ventilation, mold, and reduced access to athletic fields, gymnasiums, and health offices. A Kitagawa-Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition shows that local property taxes are the largest contributor to racial gaps in building quality, while progressive state building aid helps reduce these disparities. These findings highlight persistent infrastructure inequities and the need for targeted investments to ensure all students have access to safe and supportive learning environments.
Keywords
school infrastructure, capital expenditures, building conditions, racial inequality
Education level
Topics
Document Object Identifier (DOI)
10.26300/409y-0c77
