CPS students' core GPAs continue to decline between eighth and ninth grade despite steady improvement in both eighth- and ninth-grade grades¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · associational r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2018 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Between 2012 and 2017, average ninth-grade core GPA rose from 2.18 to 2.58 and eighth-grade core GPA rose from 2.52 to 2.89, yet the eighth-to-ninth decline persisted (0.34 points in 2012; 0.31 points in 2017). → Seeskin 2018

Evidence¶

Seeskin 2018¶

Seeskin, A., Nagaoka, J., & Mahaffie, S. (2018). Hidden risk: Changes in GPA across the transition to high school. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. https://consortium.uchicago.edu/publications/hidden-risk-changes-gpa-across-transition-high-school

q2 · i? · associational · r2

Observational analysis of CPS administrative grade data for six freshman cohorts (2011-12 through 2016-17, N=15,914 to 18,969 per cohort), non-charter schools only. The report states "the average ninth-grade core GPA increased 0.40 GPA points, from 2.18 to 2.58" while eighth-grade GPA rose from 2.52 to 2.89, with declines of 0.34 (2012) and 0.31 (2017) points persisting.

"Between 2012 and 2017, the average ninth-grade core GPA increased 0.40 GPA points, from 2.18 to 2.58, the rough equivalent of going from a C+ to a B-"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• High- and middle-achieving Black students saw core GPA declines at least twice as large as White peers with similar eighth-grade GPAs — related
• GPA declines in arts and PE/health greatly exceeded declines in core subjects between eighth and ninth grade — related
• Students with higher eighth-grade achievement saw larger core GPA declines across the transition to high school — related
• Patterns of GPA decline varied widely across high schools, suggesting school environment plays an important role in the transition — related
• Ninth-grade GPAs rose steadily in CPS from 2006 to 2013 alongside improvements in test scores, attendance, and behavior — related
• Eighth-grade graduates fared better in the transition to high school over time, but Freshman OnTrack rates were not consistently higher than at similar schools — related