Carpenter II, Dick, Ramirez, Al, & Severn, Laura
Researchers: Al RamirezDick Carpenter IILaura Severn
University Affiliation: University of Colorado
Email: dcarpenter@ij.org
Research Question:
Examine within-group differences and compares those across Latino, African American, and White populations.
Published: 1
Journal Name or Institutional Affiliation: Education and Urban Society
Journal Entry: Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 113-127
Year: 2006
Findings:
- Results question the singular definition of achievement gap which may mean current policies miss the mark in raising achievement levels between and within groups.
- Results indicate not one but multiple achievement gaps, within and between groups.
- Increases in SES, time spent on homework, and parental involvement results in higher math achievement. Moreover, the AA and White models share homework as significant predictor, and Hispanic and White models share units in algebra I. The color of one’s skin does not change the importance of certain variables in academic achievement.
- There are multiple achievement gaps, and gaps between races may not be the most serious of them.
- With a singular definition of achievement gap, it could be that current policies miss the mark in attempting to influence the most significant variables in raising achievement levels between and, perhaps even more important, within groups.