The test score outcomes of Native American students: A large empirical analysis from Oklahoma

The
test score outcomes of major racial/ethnic groups in the United States are well
documented. However, strikingly few statistical analyses investigate the
academic outcomes of Native American students. This study draws on data
containing over 120,000 Native American student observations in grades 3 to 8
in Oklahoma from 2017 to 2019. Native American students’ test scores were lower
than those of White and Asian students, but this difference decreased after
accounting for background factors (e.g., poverty, special education status, and
student mobility). Within the Native American sample, results also showed significant
within-group heterogeneity based on individual background factors. Overall
findings indicate that Native American students’ test score performance exceeds
levels reported in prior descriptive reports.