Equity Audits: Collectively Using Data to Increase Access to Computer Science for English Learners

• In Event: Division H Vice-Presidential Session. English Language Proficiency: Interrogating Impacts

Abstract

Even though English Learners represent 1 in 10 of U.S. public school students, they are grossly underrepresented in STEM fields, such as Computer Science (CS). To increase access to CS for ELs, we conducted a yearlong “equity audit” (Skrla et al., 2004) with 15 school teams across California, Texas, New Mexico, and Maryland. Equity audit school teams—consisting of a principal, counselor, and teacher—engaged in discussions to interpret various sources of data (e.g., enrollment, transcripts, interviews, etc.) with the aim of collectively changing school policies and practices to increase access to CS pathways for ELs. Ultimately, this study also investigates how equity audit discussions transform the roles and responsibilities of participants to improve access to CS for ELs both individually and collectively.

Authors

• Diana G. Mercado-Garcia, California Education Partners
  Presenting Author

• Megan Hopkins, WestEd
  Presenting Author

• Lillie Ko Wong
  Presenting Author

• Yoomee Lee, University of California - San Diego
  Non-Presenting Author