ADVANCED COURSEWORK COMPLETION RATES BY ETHNICITY IN TEXAS: A MULTI-YEAR STATEWIDE STUDY

Abstract

This study represents an analysis of the trends of Texas students by ethnicity who participated in advanced coursework (i.e., Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or dual enrollment) over the past 11 school years. Archival data from the Texas Education Agency were obtained and analyzed for all public high schools with available data. The percentage of students completing advanced coursework from all ethnic groups (i.e., Asian, White, Hispanic, and Black) has increased over the past 11 years; however, statistically significant achievement gaps remain among ethnic groups. Statistically significant differences with large effect sizes were present in the percentages of students who completed an advanced course. As such, strong concerns are present regarding inequities in advanced coursework enrollment in Texas schools.