DOI
https://doi.org/10.25772/JBG0-EA80
Defense Date
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Urban & Regional Planning
Department
Urban and Regional Planning
First Advisor
Elsie Harper-Anderson
Abstract
The focus of this thesis is to seek and observe the patterns of economic development around local public schools of varying quality. The Greater Richmond Region (consisting of the City of Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico) were used as the basis of the study. The scores for the schools were derived from an equation that took into account some of the main quality aspects. The factors that went into the equation were graduation rates, dropout rates, standardized test scores and AP (Advance Placement) enrollment. The basis of the economic development evaluation is based on a set of indicators published by the King County (Washington) Department of Planning. These indicators include real wages per worker, poverty rate and high school graduation rate. Using GIS, these two data sets were observed for patterns and trends. The findings of this study show that not only do the economic development indicators change based on quality but also on geographic location. This study ends with recommendations for cities to improve both their education systems as well as their economic development opportunities.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
August 2013