NSF Webinar to Connect Math and Science Achievement Gaps to Modifiable Factors Early in a Student’s Education

September 11, 2023   |   By WCER Communications

Consider joining NSF's STEM Education Directorate on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 2–3 p.m. (CT) to hear from Paul Morgan, professor of education at Pennsylvania State University, about achievement gaps in math and science. Register here.

Addressing math and science achievement gaps in United States elementary schools may help to broaden participation in the STEM workforce. During the lecture, Morgan will present findings from a series of studies analyzing data from population-based cohorts.

These findings indicate that mathematics and science achievement gaps are already large by kindergarten and remain highly stable across subsequent elementary grades. These gaps also are highly stable across the subsequent elementary grades. Regression modeling indicates that the family’s socioeconomic resources and the student’s initial level of knowledge about mathematics, science, and reading by kindergarten substantially or fully explain between-group differences in mathematics and science achievement.

Findings suggest that economic and educational policies introduced prior to or by kindergarten may be needed to address mathematics and science achievement gaps in elementary schools and to broaden participation in the STEM workforce.