Final answer:
The term 'between school effects' refers to a comparison of how schools differ from one another, often related to resources, socioeconomic status, and location, impacting student performance and opportunities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term "between school effects" refers to A. a comparison of how schools differ from one another. This encompasses differences in resources, cultural capital, curricula, and overall opportunity which can correlate with socioeconomic status, location (urban vs. rural), and funding disparities. Children from lower-income families often face educational challenges before they even enter school, such as lower levels of preparedness and access to resources. These students may attend schools with less funding and consequently fewer resources, leading to a gap in educational outcomes when compared to their peers in more affluent schools. This gap is evident in standardized testing, graduation rates, and college entrance rates, and is a concern for both sociologists and policy makers who aim to provide equitable education to all students. The Coleman Report of 1966 and subsequent studies have consistently highlighted the impact of these between school differences on student performance.