By Your Bootstraps? Grit and Achievement Gaps in the United States

• In Event: The Work of Teachers: Understanding Teacher Networks, Identity, and Efficacy

Abstract

Is grit—or perseverance in the face of adversity—the key to explaining achievement gaps in the United States? While there is some evidence that noncognitive skills are associated with educational outcomes across the life course, it is less clear how important grit is in predicting educational success. Using the ECLS-K 2011, we examine whether grit and related noncognitive measures of social skill meaningfully account for socio-economic and racial gaps in 5th grade. We find that self-reported “grit” has only modest links to academic performance and does not explain socioeconomic and racial/ethnic achievement gaps. By comparison, we find noncognitive skills account for approximately 20% of math and reading disparities, but only for socioeconomic achievement gaps.

Authors

• Benjamin G. Gibbs, Brigham Young University

• Eliza Allen

• Jane Smith

• Devon Winn

• Lear Burton