CHILD MALTREATMENT AND SCHOOL PERFORMANCE

This study compares a large random sample of maltreated children to sm aller random comparison samples of the general school population and c hildren receiving social services to investigate effects of abuse and neglect on school performance. With controls for diverse background fa ctors, maltreated children display deficits relative to each compariso n sample with respect to many school outcomes, including grades, test scores, and absences. In comparison with the deficits in school outcom es borne by children receiving social services, those associated with maltreatment, though statistically distinguishable, are substantively similar.