The Effects of Race to the Top on Students' Science Achievement

• Other Authors: Petrova, Kitchka (author)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Education and state; Science > Study and teaching; Economics
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/2018_Sp_Petrova_fsu_0071E_14391

The Race to the Top (RTTT) federal grant program was an initiative that targeted improving Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. However, the evaluation of the program reported only student outcomes for mathematics and reading/language arts. The purpose of this study was to estimate the effects of RTTT program on student achievement in science by comparing the performance of students in states with RTTT grant (treatment group) with the performance of students in states that did not receive RTTT (comparison group) grants. Using data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and difference in differences analytic approach the effects of RTTT on science achievement of 4th and 8th grade public school students and subgroups of students, traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines were estimated. The results show that RTTT had positive significant effect on science achievement of 4th graders overall and of the studied subgroups. A positive significant effect of RTTT was observed only for 8th graders’ earth science achievement and 8th graders with low socioeconomic background. English language learners in both grades were not affected by the implementation of RTTT. The dissertation includes recommendations for policy makers to further expand the application of competitive education programs to innovate and improve public education. Suggestions for future research related to Race to the Top- District programs and effects of RTTT on science standards and curriculum are proposed. === A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Spring Semester 2018. === April 2, 2018. === Difference in Differences, federal policy, Race to the top, science achievement, STEM disciplines, STEM workforce === Includes bibliographical references. === Toby Park, Professor Directing Dissertation; Diana Rice, University Representative; Marytza Gawlik, Committee Member; Lara Perez-Felkner, Committee Member; Anastasia Semykina, Committee Member.