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Cracks in the Foundation: The Association of Physical Condition of School Facilities with Absenteeism and Test Scores in Maryland

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Title: Cracks in the Foundation: The Association of Physical Condition of School Facilities with Absenteeism and Test Scores in Maryland
Language: English
Authors: Catherine H. Gong, Richard Lofton, Priyanka Fernandes (ORCID 0009-0003-5399-0773), Odis Johnson, Joshua M. Sharfstein (ORCID 0000-0003-0036-6785)
Source: Journal of School Health. 2026 96(4).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 7
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Educational Facilities, School Buildings, Health Conditions, Scores, Attendance, Physical Environment, Elementary Schools, Secondary Schools, Economically Disadvantaged, Poverty, African American Students, Hispanic American Students
Geographic Terms: Maryland
DOI: 10.1111/josh.70131
ISSN: 0022-4391
1746-1561
Abstract: Background: Poor physical conditions of school facilities are linked to poor health, lower test scores, and higher rates of chronic absenteeism. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data on physical conditions of school facilities, absenteeism, and test scores for 1266 K-12 school facilities representing 1388 schools (which may share school facilities) in Maryland. We analyzed the results by race and ethnicity of students and by the area deprivation index. Results: Students in schools in the 10th decile for poor physical conditions experienced significantly higher rates of chronic absenteeism and significantly lower SAT, ACT, and Maryland state test scores. Black and Hispanic students were significantly more likely to attend these schools. The significant association between poor school facility conditions and educational outcomes is limited to communities with high socioeconomic deprivation. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Policymakers should consider investments in school infrastructure in under-resourced communities to close educational gaps and help every child succeed. Conclusions: In Maryland communities with high socioeconomic deprivation, poor school facility conditions are associated with greater absenteeism and lower test scores, disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic children.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: www.ashaweb.org
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1501503
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Cracks in the Foundation: The Association of Physical Condition of School Facilities with Absenteeism and Test Scores in Maryland
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Catherine+H%2E+Gong%22">Catherine H. Gong</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Richard+Lofton%22">Richard Lofton</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Priyanka+Fernandes%22">Priyanka Fernandes</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5399-0773">0009-0003-5399-0773</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Odis+Johnson%22">Odis Johnson</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Joshua+M%2E+Sharfstein%22">Joshua M. Sharfstein</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0036-6785">0000-0003-0036-6785</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+School+Health%22"><i>Journal of School Health</i></searchLink>. 2026 96(4).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 7
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Facilities%22">Educational Facilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22School+Buildings%22">School Buildings</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Health+Conditions%22">Health Conditions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Scores%22">Scores</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attendance%22">Attendance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+Environment%22">Physical Environment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+Schools%22">Elementary Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+Schools%22">Secondary Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Economically+Disadvantaged%22">Economically Disadvantaged</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Poverty%22">Poverty</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22African+American+Students%22">African American Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hispanic+American+Students%22">Hispanic American Students</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
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  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Maryland%22">Maryland</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
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  Data: 10.1111/josh.70131
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  Data: 0022-4391<br />1746-1561
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Background: Poor physical conditions of school facilities are linked to poor health, lower test scores, and higher rates of chronic absenteeism. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis using data on physical conditions of school facilities, absenteeism, and test scores for 1266 K-12 school facilities representing 1388 schools (which may share school facilities) in Maryland. We analyzed the results by race and ethnicity of students and by the area deprivation index. Results: Students in schools in the 10th decile for poor physical conditions experienced significantly higher rates of chronic absenteeism and significantly lower SAT, ACT, and Maryland state test scores. Black and Hispanic students were significantly more likely to attend these schools. The significant association between poor school facility conditions and educational outcomes is limited to communities with high socioeconomic deprivation. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Policymakers should consider investments in school infrastructure in under-resourced communities to close educational gaps and help every child succeed. Conclusions: In Maryland communities with high socioeconomic deprivation, poor school facility conditions are associated with greater absenteeism and lower test scores, disproportionately affecting Black and Hispanic children.
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  Data: www.ashaweb.org
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1501503
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Facilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Buildings
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      – SubjectFull: Health Conditions
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      – SubjectFull: Scores
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      – SubjectFull: Attendance
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      – SubjectFull: African American Students
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      – SubjectFull: Hispanic American Students
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      – SubjectFull: Maryland
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