I-Corps L: Scaling Up STEM Equity Audits

Howard University, Washington DC

Investigators

Abstract

Through the NSF Innovation Corps for Learning Program, (I-Corps L), this project will allow for the scaling and commercialization of STEM Equity Audits (STEM-EAs). STEM-EAs identify and confront inequities specifically in mathematics and science activities within schools and districts. In many schools, Caucasian and male students are overrepresented in advanced STEM classes while minority and female students are more likely to be enrolled in remedial STEM classes. The enrollment, success and completion rates from STEM programs follow similar trends. STEM-EAs measure the climate for underrepresented STEM students, and help understand why they may not choose STEM classes and programs. STEM-EAs also consider how different contexts influence standardized assessment disparities. This is accomplished by collecting data from multiple sources including: school/district/county/State/Federal data; surveys of parents, students, teachers, and administrators; and data around policies that impact equity in district/schools. STEM-EAs look at inequities across comparison schools with similar demographics and curricular standardization to further understand how math and science classroom practices are inequitable. STEM-EAs not only identify where disparities exist, but also the reasons these inequities exist. This project has potential to advance knowledge along the lines for STEM equity work in K-12 environments. Little is known about how STEM inequities are reproduced in schools, despite the fact that educators and administrators are aware of the gaps. STEM-EAs would allow school administrators to isolate and identify factors contributing to the inequities, and then initiate specific reforms based on data. This knowledge skill has the potential to change the STEM pipeline in districts using this tool. While equity audits are increasingly used in districts as a way to address all inequities in school, and have included discipline specific metrics, STEM-EAs are conducted with the sole purpose of addressing students' access to STEM classes and activities.