- STDNT_FRST_GEN indicating whether or not the student is a first-generation student

This variable could prove important to the study because it could impact motivation, procrastination, and achievement. If a student is a first-generation student, then they might feel that the bar is set very low or high for them, which can impact motivation and achievement.

University of Georgia

These variable are from the Variables names and Labels spreadsheet linked in Microsoft Teams:
- student's academic load 
- level of student's primary career (Undergraduate, Graduate, Graduate-Professional, - - Academic Outreach)
- cumulative GPA at end of term
- GPA for the term
- entry type to a specific academic program (continuing; freshmen; transfer)
- estimated gross family income
- the maximum education level of student's parents
- Self-identified race
- student's citizen status 
- gender
- international student
- English language learner level
- first degree earned
- academic level of student's progression toward a degree at the end of a term
- First generation student
- Student change in majors
- how big is students social group
- Is student bilingual
- time it takes to graduate
- student engagement

Potential Achievement Gap Variables to Analyze

https://umich.sharepoint.com/:x:/s/1Cademy/EW-m2cO2UO1Hj-cOozxbXU0BQFhSEjSXqT5wTu0JUQtD0Q?email=1Cademy%40umich.onmicrosoft.com&e=xUdkXe

Variables Names and Labels Spreadsheet

After summarizing "Closing the Social Class Achievement Gap", it seems that the achievement gap seen between first generation and continuing generation students (education level of students parents) is notable and would be a good variable to include in our IRB proposal. 
-  This paper compares students with at least one parent with a 4 year degree (continuing generation) vs no parents with a 4 year degree (first generation), but we discussed that it would be interesting to also look into literature regarding students with parents that have some education but not a 4 year degree (such as an associates degree). 

Education level of student's parents

- STDNT_MJR_CHNGE to indicate if the student has had a major change

I recommended this variable because If a student has had a major change or many major changes, then the student might feel discouraged and might perform more poorly than if they had not changed their major.



Suggested Variable: STDNT_MJR_CHNGE

- STDNT_SES to indicate the socioeconomic status of the student

The SES of a student can impact their motivation, procrastination, and achievement because they could be lacking resources or other sources that encourage success.

Suggested Variable: STDNT_SES

- STDNT_CLASS_NMBR to indicate how many classes the student is taking in a semester
If a student is taking less than 4 classes in a semester, then they might be more motivated to complete their work and less inclined to procrastinate. However, if a student is taking more than 4 classes in a semester, then they might be more stressed, and this could impact their achievement, motivation, and procrastination.

Suggested Variable: STDNT_CLASS_NMBR

Suggested Variable: STDNT_FRST_GEN

- STDNT_SOCIAL_GRP to indicate the size of the students' social group

The size of a student's social group can also impact motivation, procrastination, and achievement because students with a smaller social group could be lacking external motivation and/or help from their peers.

Suggested Variable: STDNT_SOCIAL_GRP

- STDNT_BILINGUAL to indicate if the student is bilingual

If a student is bilingual, their motivation, procrastination, and study habits might be different from that of a student speaking only one language.

Suggested Variable: STDNT_BILINGUAL

Language:
- Variable: English Second Language (ESL)? (proxy for do the parents speak predominantly english at home) - STDNT_NTV_ENG_SPKR_IN D 

Ethnicity/Race:
- Suggestion: We should not do not white and non-white, rather we should separate out Latinx, Black, White, Asian and other races as much as possible

Education:
- Variable: It is important to look at parents education since some of the other variables effects may actually be due to parents education. - PRNT_MAX_ED_LVL_CD

Socioeconomic status:
- Variable: It is important to look at socioeconomic status since some of the other variables effects may actually be due to socioeconomic qualities. - EST_GROSS_FAM_INC_CD

Summer slump:
- Insight: What can the summer slump tell us about higher-level education and how COVID may have affected it?

Achievement Gap Variable Suggestions

like this article does, it might be helpful to refer to students with disabilities as SWDs

Learn Before

Related