Testing the Opportunity-Propensity Model of Achievement in Asian American Subgroups

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 10:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Adolescents and Young Adults' Academic Identity, Aspirations, and Outcomes (Table 5)

Abstract

The Opportunity-Propensity Model of Achievement was used to examine the ways in which demographic characteristics, child characteristics, and characteristics of home and learning environment predict mathematics achievement in different subgroups of Asian-American Kindergartners (N = 962) from a nationally representative sample. We then used path analysis with Kindergartners’ Spring math scores as the main outcome, propensity and opportunity variables as mediators, and antecedent variables as predictors. First, we found heterogeneity in math outcomes among subgroups (China, India, Vietnam, Other East, Other Southeast, Other). We also found various direct and indirect effects at the subgroup level not seen in the overall group level. These findings have implications for Asian-American child development and educational policies for Asian-American children.

Authors

• Josh Medrano, University of California - Berkeley

• Dana Miller-Cotto, University of California - Berkeley