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Racial and gender science achievement gaps in secondary education
Verne R Bacharach1, Alfred A Baumeister, R Michael Furr
1Department of Psychology, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608, USA. bacharachvr@appstate.edu
The Journal of Genetic Psychology
|April 16, 2003
Summary
Science achievement gaps between Black and White students, and boys and girls, widen throughout secondary education. These disparities persist and grow through high school, indicating a need for intervention.
Area of Science:
- Educational Psychology
- Science Education
Background:
- Significant disparities in science academic achievement exist between Black and White primary-school children.
- Similar achievement gaps are observed between boys and girls in primary education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how secondary education influences existing science achievement gaps.
- To analyze the trajectory of racial and gender-based science achievement disparities through high school.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study utilizing a large, nationally representative dataset.
- Analysis of academic achievement data across primary and secondary education levels.
Main Results:
- Racial disparities in science achievement continue to increase throughout high school.
- Gender-based disparities in science achievement also widen during secondary education.
Conclusions:
- Secondary education does not close, but rather exacerbates, existing science achievement gaps.
- Interventions are needed to address the persistent and increasing racial and gender disparities in science education.