Ninth graders who fail Algebra I are demographically similar to those who pass, but are more likely to be male and African American¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r? · q2
Currency · newest study 2016 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Students who failed Algebra I in ninth grade did not differ from students who passed in poverty, English learner status, or identified disabilities, but were more likely to be male (58% vs. 47%) and African American (47% vs. 40%). → Rickles 2016

Evidence¶

Rickles 2016¶

Rickles, J., Heppen, J., Taylor, S., Allensworth, E., Michelman, V., Sorensen, N., Walters, K., & Clements, P. (2016). Getting Back on Track: Who Needs to Recover Algebra Credit After Ninth Grade? (Research Brief 3). American Institutes for Research & University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. https://www.air.org/CreditRecovery

q2 · i? · associational · r?

Descriptive comparison of CPS administrative records for first-time ninth graders enrolled in Algebra I in 2010-11 or 2011-12. The brief reports that students who failed were "about as likely to be English learners, or to have identified disabilities" as students who passed, with the male difference at 58% vs. 47%.

"Students who failed Algebra did not come from communities with higher rates of poverty than students who passed, on average. They also were about as likely to be English learners, or to have identified disabilities."

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Gender — predictor: outcomes differ by group: a gap reflecting circumstances and treatment, not a cause

Related Claims¶

• Most students needing Algebra I credit recovery failed multiple ninth-grade courses and few were on track to graduate — related
• Students who fail Algebra I show far more signs of ninth-grade disengagement, including higher absenteeism and suspension rates — related
• Students who fail Algebra I more often enter ninth grade with preexisting math and reading deficits, though many enter with average or higher achievement — related
• On-track gains were largest for students with the lowest incoming skills and for African American males — related
• Before expanded options, only 13% of CPS freshmen who failed spring Algebra I recovered the credit over the summer — related
• Ninth grade truancy rates do not differ much by gender, undercutting the hypothesis that gang activity primarily drives absenteeism — related