Students of Color

and Failing Grades...

 Background/Data Interview
u The Background: Are students of color failing multiple classes more than white students?
Given the student demographic makeup within the school which is, 25% white students, 25% black
students, and 37% are Hispanic, there seems to be a disproportional amount of students failing multiple
grades. When administration meets with students one at a time for 4 plus fails, there seems to be a much
higher representation with students of color.

u I learned from my interview that what I was doing for the research project was very valuable. I learned
the importance of data to help determine outcomes to address assumptions and views within the
building. In addition, I realize how important it is to dig in deeper for numbers to find out if a process or
intervention is effective.
u After the interview, I learned how important this project really is and that it needs to be shared with the
rest of the staff at the next staff meeting/academy. I believe that I can show the effectiveness of
discussions during PLC time regarding failing grades and students in need.
u I am excited to know that there is a lot of support and collaboration with the school and the within this
district to help problem solve and to find answers,
u Lastly, a great take-away was that generally, the data gathered and researched is always in the best
interest of the students. It is also very intentional to improve their learning. This may be by use of
interventions, class size changes, classes offered, extra programming and most often driving
conversations to find the best support possible for student needs.
 Failure Data (4+ classes) By Race: White/Hispanic

0.250 0.300
Students with 4 Plus Fails

Students with 4 Plus Fails

0.200
0.200
0.150
0.100
0.100
0.050
0.000 White Students Hispanic
0.000 White Students Hispanic
Term 1 Students Term 1 Term 2 Students Term 2

SD: 0.112 SD :0.212 SD: 0.206 SD: 0.269

Mean: 0.013 Mean: 0.047 Mean: 0.044 Mean: 0.078
t-test: 0.0602 t-test: 0.1717
 Failure Data (4+ classes) By Race: White/Black

0.300
Students with 4 Plus

0.300

Students with 4 Plus

0.200 0.200
Fails

Fails
0.100 0.100

0.000 White Students Black Students

0.000 White Students Black Students
Term 1 Term 1 Term 2 Term 2

SD: 0.112 SD: 0.275 SD: 0.206 SD: 0.199

Mean: 0.013 Mean:0.082 Mean: 0.044 Mean: 0.041
t-test: 0.0030 t-test: 0.8896
 What I Found..
(suggestion)

1. First of all, I suggest to dig in to deeper analyze data anytime an important question
comes up within a building. It clarifies whether there is a problem or not by valid
numbers.

2. I suggest to share the question and results with staff so they can benefit from
knowledge of the outcomes.

3. Lastly, I plan to share this presentation with staff so they aware of data driven results
and proof. By doing this, it will address an issue that they may not have known was a
problem otherwise. Currently, our building is looking at student equity and I think they
will be proud of the overall outcomes. I believe they will be driven to lower the
numbers of multiple fails as well.