Do Socioeconomic Status Gaps and Racial Gaps Exist in Early Reading Growth? A Multilevel Model of Early Reading Growth

• In Event: 42.084 - Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: 42.084-8 - New Directions in Literacy Research

Abstract

Substantial development and changes have occurred in our social, and educational systems, and a child’s growth trajectory might be influenced. Data from the first two years of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten: 2011 were used to document early reading growth trajectories of children from kindergarten to first grade via hierarchical linear models to illustrate current children’s reading growth in the United States. The purpose of the current study is to illustrate the racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in early reading ability among children. Results found children from minority groups had lower initial reading ability and growth rate. However, while the SES gap existed in child’s initial reading ability, but children from low SES family could catch up after entering kindergarten.

Authors

• Qianqian Pan, University of Kansas

• Walter Williams, The University of Kansas