What Are My Students Trying to Tell Me? A Missing Data Problem

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 8:00 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Supporting Social Emotional and Behavioral Needs of Students and Educators (Table 1)

Abstract

Schools face challenges in measuring student progress towards SEL goals, which increase when students become non-responsive. This study investigates patterns of missingness in a 9-item SEL survey administered to 3rd-8th grade students at the beginning and end of the school year. Preliminary findings show a significant increase in missing data from the beginning to the end of the school year. Specifically, items related to self-advocacy and belonging showed the most increase in missingness, potentially signally student hesitance to respond to these items or to the authorities asking. The observation of systematic missingness from the beginning to the end of the year suggests possible areas for further qualitative and quantitative investigation for the purpose of improving student experience and outcomes.

Authors

• Jesse A Lasser, University of Colorado - Denver

• Liana Hall, University of Colorado - Denver

• Chloe M. Hodson, University of Denver

• Alexandra Rodriguez, University of Colorado - Denver

• Susan Jeane Davis, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Julia Mahfouz, University of Colorado - Denver