Middle School Math and the Achievement Gap

Researchers from the University of Illinois say that if you want to make real strides toward closing the achievement gap, give students in urban schools with primarily black and Latino student populations access to high-level math courses in middle school. In addition, researchers advise that schools start rigorous coursework early in a student's career, focus on teacher quality, and reduce class sizes to encourage more focused, academic learning environments.

Following 6,500 public school students as they progressed from 8th to 10th grade and focusing on the effects of school-related behaviors, math placement, and achievement, researchers found that students who take advanced math courses in middle school develop behaviors that augment achievement over time. High expectations, rigorous work, and the academic climate in these middle school math classes give students skills that have positive effects in later grades. Advanced math enrollment in middle school means students are more likely to take higher-level math courses in high school.

Studies like this one from the University of Illinois help focus work on closing the achievement gap, but they need to be received as part of a holistic approach. Last September, Tom Loveless authored a study that cautioned against pushing unprepared students in algebra without the right supports.