Increasing Math Proficiency to Reduce Dropouts A grant-funded dropout prevention program had an objective of targeted students passing algebra, which was required for graduation. They described the targeted students as those at risk of failing algebra. Edstar was to evaluate the effectiveness of this program towards this objective. When asked how he identified students to participate in the program, the director explained that he enrolled students whose last names sounded as if they are minorities, because minorities are known to be at risk of not being able to pass math courses. He explained that although he had a roster of names, he could not be sure all minority-sounding names were actually minority. For example, he thought the name Williams may be either Black and White. So, he didn’t think it is possible to know ahead of time how many students needed this service. Although student races are in data files, he explained that he didn't know how to use the electronic data and could only use the printed list of names. He reported that he selected the students whose names really sound minority for sure. He didn’t check that they had low math scores or whether they had even already passed algebra. He was confident in the research that says that minority students are at risk of failing math. He reported to us that even if they were currently passing, because they are at risk, they could start failing at any time. He couldn't tell us what research he was citing, but he was sure there was some. He used grant funds to allow the girls in the program get makeovers, and then to have their photos taken at Glamour Shots. He reported to us that the photos would boost their confidence, and confident people pass math more than people with no confidence. He thought that raising their confidence levels would improve their math skills because they would feel more like people who are good at math. (This is real. This was a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant in a high school.)Which beliefs are influencing his Equity Lens? Click to check your answer. B.1 Cause and Effect B.2 Expert vs. Evidence B.3 What At-Risk Means B.4 Desired Outcomes and Goals B.5 What is STEM and Why We Need to Fill STEM Pipeline Which skills are influencing his Equity Lens? Click to check your answer. S.1 Knowing What Can Be Known S.2 How to Identify Kids to Align Services S.3 How to Classify Things S.4 Working With Data S.5 Understanding Data Details S.6 Understanding Federal Data-Handling Laws BeliefsB.1 Cause and Effect He believes that providing innovative activities to at-risk students will improve some qualities of their lives, and that this may help them to become more academically successful. B.2 Expert vs. Evidence NA B3. What At-Risk Means He thinks "academically at-risk" means minority. You can't infer income level from the sound of the last name, so he may also believe that minority and low-income are equivalent. In fact, he seems to think that low-income, minority, and trouble learning algebra are equivalent. B.4 Desired Outcomes and Goals NA B.5 What is STEM and Why We Need to Fill STEM Pipelin NA SkillsS.1 Knowing What Can Be Known Although he thinks that minority students are at-risk of failing algebra, he does not know how to get a list of minority students. He went through paper rosters and looked for minority sounding names. S.2 How to Identify Kids to Align Services Although the service was described in the grant as being intended to help students pass algebra so that they would be more likely to graduate on time, he included in his program students who had already passed algebra, and good students. Even if his services would have promoted gaining algebra skills, his selection method did not result in enrolling students who necessarily needed algebra help. S.3 How to Classify Things NA S.4 Skill Set Required for Working With Data He admitted he had no skills for working with data, and often explained to Edstar staff that he thought would depersonalize or dehumanize the process of designing the program. S.5 Understanding Data Details NA S.6 Understanding Federal DATA-Handling Laws NA
