An Examination of Intragroup Variation Using the Academic Support Index

• In Event: Psychometrics and Educational Measurement Poster Session 2

Abstract

The disaggregation of data has been critical to the identification and monitoring of progress on achievement gaps. This study evaluated the capacity of the Academic Support Index (ASI) to differentiate performance within groups identified by these gaps. In all seven models the ASI demarcated student scores along the index (p < .001) and reliably identified sub-populations of high-performing students. By using the ASI as a second dimension to within-group analysis, achievement gaps are reframed to include context regarding the influence of multiple demographic contributors to student performance. The capacity to better understand and predict performance both across and within groups has the potential to reframe how researchers identify, describe, and address the various gaps.

Author

• David Stevens, University of California - Berkeley