A secondary data analysis of the predictors of academic achievement and the proxies used to identify socio-economic disadvantage in Northern Ireland

The primary proxy measure for disadvantage is Free School Meals (FSME), but little is known about the relationship between children living in different levels of Multiple Deprivation Measure (MDM) deciles. Using a mixed-methods sequential exploratory design study and Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, this research aims to investigate the validity and reliability of FSME and MDM, and their combined effects as proxy measures of socio-economic disadvantage in relation to academic achievement.

The findings indicate that children tend to perform better as the MDM deprivation level decreases, but FSME is a statistically significant and better proxy measure for disadvantage when it comes to academic achievement. However, combining FSME and MDM showed little utility. Overall, this study provides insights into the factors influencing the achievement gap in Northern Ireland and highlights the importance of using appropriate proxy measures to accurately capture socio-economic disadvantage within Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory.<i><br></i>