Providing Equitable Opportunities for Rural Middle School Students: Examining Grade 8 Math Placement

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: Data Quality and Equity Implications for Data Use Practice

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the placement of rural middle school students into rigorous mathematics courses in grade 8 and how that early mathematics experience impacted achievement in grade 11. Achievement of students was examined on the ACT in grade 11 based on the year they were enrolled in Math 1. Demographics of students enrolled in Math 1 in grade 8 were then analyzed using student race/ethnicity, gender, grade 7 cumulative GPA, and grade 7 End-of-Grade math level as predictors. The results of this study showed that students who took Math 1 in grade 8 scored higher on the ACT composite, and that there were significant differences in placement between demographic groups of students.

Authors

• Jennifer Richardson McGee, Appalachian State University

• Shawn Bergman, Appalachian State University

• Andrea C Reubens, Appalachian State University