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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Advanced Placement Course-Taking And Act Test Outcomes In Arkansas, Sarah Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee, Charlene A. Reid, Jessica S. Goldstein Nov 2020

Advanced Placement Course-Taking And Act Test Outcomes In Arkansas, Sarah Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee, Charlene A. Reid, Jessica S. Goldstein

Policy Briefs

Since 2008, Arkansas has sought to dramatically increase the number of students participating in Advanced Placement (AP) classes. This program, which allows students to access college -level content while still enrolled in high school, has been linked to higher student achievement and attainment. This brief shares recent research from the Office for Education Policy investigating whether students who take AP courses demonstrate better college readiness and examines how these trends vary for different demographic and socioeconomic groups in the state.


Using State Assessments To Increase Equity In G/T Identification, Sarah Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee, Charlene A. Reid, Bich Tran Nov 2020

Using State Assessments To Increase Equity In G/T Identification, Sarah Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee, Charlene A. Reid, Bich Tran

Policy Briefs

In this brief, we explore the rate of identification of students as Gifted and Talented (G/T). In particular we examine the rate of identification for the highest achieving 3rd graders who scored in the top 5% statewide on state assessments in both Reading and Mathematics from 2015 to 2018 and the likelihood that they are identified G/T by 4th grade. Across five cohorts of 3rd to 4th grade students, we find that 30% of the highest achieving students are not identified as G/T. We find statistically significant differences in the likelihood that high achieving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds are …


K-2 Assessments And Later Student Outcomes, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee Feb 2020

K-2 Assessments And Later Student Outcomes, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee

Policy Briefs

In this brief we examine the characteristics of the districts that selected the various assessments and consider student outcomes both before and after the K-2 vendor selection to see what relationship, if any, exists between which assessment vendor was selected and students academic proficiency and growth.


Enrollment Trends In Northwest Arkansas Charter Schools, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee Feb 2020

Enrollment Trends In Northwest Arkansas Charter Schools, Sarah C. Mckenzie, Josh B. Mcgee

Policy Briefs

Northwest Arkansas is home to nine public charter schools, with plans to open a new charter school for the 2020-21 school year. These schools, which serve unique missions, are some of the most highly ranked schools in the State of Arkansas. While critics argue that public charter schools segregate based on race or academic ability, national evidence finds that these claims are highly context specific. What conclusions can we draw about northwest Arkansas charter schools based on enrollment trends in recent years?