Measuring Student Agency and Investigating Whether Advancement via Individual Determination Reduces the Effects of Opportunity Gaps

• In Event: Examining Factors That Mediate Student Achievement

Abstract

Though opportunity gaps are a leading cause of achievement gaps, missing from these discussions is an understanding of how intermediate indicators (e.g., students’ beliefs and actions) are impacted by opportunity gaps. The AVID College and Career Readiness Framework articulates AVID’s theory of action for establishing equity and access to educational resources and experiences. AVID educators align goals and initiatives, identify opportunity gaps, and review schools’ instructional practices, systems, leadership, and culture to ensure that equitable and accessible learning experiences are available for students. This study investigated the measurement of Student Agency, whether AVID contributes to its development, and whether AVID reduces the effects of opportunity gaps on marginalized students. Results suggest that AVID enrollment positively impacts Student Agency over time.

Authors

• Jeffery Huerta, AVID Center
  Presenting Author

• Dennis Johnston, AVID Center
  Non-Presenting Author