ERIC Number: EJ956351
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1536-3759
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Exploring the Underachievement Gap
Carpenter, Dick M., II; Ramirez, Al
Christian Higher Education, v11 n2 p115-130 2012
Prevalent definitions of the achievement gap conceptualize it as the difference in achievement between white and minority students. Recent research, however, points to numerous gaps both within and between groups. This study explores a further conceptualization of achievement gaps by looking at the "underachievement gap"--the difference between students from capital-rich backgrounds who choose to attend postsecondary institutions and those who do not. Using the NELS:88 database to examine differences in college enrollment for Hispanic, black, and white students separately, results indicate being held back, number of hours worked during the week, and how far the student expected to go in college were significant predictors for all three groups. With all students combined into one sample, HGLM analysis revealed race/ethnicity generally proved not to be a significant predictor of postsecondary enrollment. (Contains 6 tables.)
Descriptors: Achievement Gap, Underachievement, Academic Achievement, Minority Groups, White Students, College Attendance, At Risk Students, Disadvantaged Youth, African American Students, Hispanic American Students, Racial Differences, Student Employment, Educational Attainment, Predictor Variables, Ethnicity, Postsecondary Education, Longitudinal Studies, Enrollment Trends, Christianity, Parochial Schools
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: High Schools; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United States
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A

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