High School Students’ Completion of Advanced Courses in Texas: Trends in Participation by Ethnicity, 2000-2012

• In Event: Roundtable Session 5
  In Roundtable Session: Enrollment, Completion, and Outcomes: Selective Policies and Practices

Abstract

Although educators have increased high school students’ access to advanced coursework, documented gaps in college admissions remain. This study represents a comprehensive analysis of the trends by ethnic group of Texas students who participated in advanced coursework (i.e., Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual enrollment) over the past 11 years. Archival data from the Texas Education Agency were obtained and analyzed for all public high schools with available data. The percentage of students completing advanced coursework from all ethnic groups has increased over the past 11 years; however, achievement gaps remain among ethnic groups. Statistically significant differences were present in the percentages of students who completed an advanced course for most of the pairwise comparisons with large effect sizes.

Authors

• Janis Fowler, Sam Houston State University

• Julie P. Combs, Sam Houston State University

• John R. Slate, Sam Houston State University

• George W. Moore, Sam Houston State University