Beyond Access: English Learner Students’ Enrollment in and Completion of Advanced High School Coursework

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 9:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Beyond Access: How Policy, Data, and Tools Shape Students’ Educational Opportunities

Abstract

This study examines English learner (EL) students’ access to and success in advanced high school courses, including Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and honors classes. Using statewide longitudinal data from Michigan, we analyze patterns of enrollment and completion among current EL students, identifying how student- and school-level factors influence their trajectories. Multilevel logistic regression models reveal that English proficiency, prior academic achievement, and grade level are strong predictors of advanced course completion. School characteristics such as size and socioeconomic composition also play a role. Findings highlight persistent disparities in course-taking and success rates, informing efforts to improve equity in advanced educational opportunities for EL students.

Authors

• Nami Shin, University of Kansas

• Karen D. Thompson, Oregon State University

• Ilana M. Umansky, University of Oregon

• Janette Dalila Avelar, University of Oregon