Score Variation and Socioeconomic Variation in a Bilingual Community Experiencing Language Revitalization

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 23
  In Roundtable Session: Nuanced Analyses of Data to Improve Bilingual Education

Abstract

We examined the relationship between score variation and sociodemographic factors associated with language variation in the Basque Autonomous Community, a region in Spain where Euskera, the local language, is being revitalized. We used a database on sociodemographic variables and scores on a mathematics test administered to Grade 4 and Grade 10 students in Euskera or in Castellano. A series of ANOVAs revealed almost consistent statistically significant differences favoring students of higher socioeconomic status across grades and regardless of language of testing. While the effect sizes associated with socioeconomic status were small, our results suggest that items may be slightly biased due to language factors for low and middle-income students.

Authors

• Jennifer Altavilla, Stanford University

• Paula Elosua, University of the Basque Country

• Guillermo Solano-Flores, Stanford University