Experimental Effects of 'Opportunity Gap' and 'Achievement Gap' Frames. EdWorkingPaper No. 24-1098
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| Title: | Experimental Effects of 'Opportunity Gap' and 'Achievement Gap' Frames. EdWorkingPaper No. 24-1098 |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | David M. Quinn, Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University |
| Source: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2024. |
| Availability: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 77 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Sponsoring Agency: | Spencer Foundation |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research Tests/Questionnaires |
| Descriptors: | Equal Education, Achievement Gap, Racial Differences, Social Justice, African American Students, White Students, Stereotypes, Outcomes of Education, Adults, Political Attitudes, Individual Characteristics, Individual Differences, Attitudes |
| Abstract: | Racial equity in education is often framed around "closing the achievement gap," but many scholars argue this frame perpetuates deficit mindsets. The "opportunity gap" (OG) frame has been offered as an alternative to focus attention on structural injustices. In a preregistered survey experiment, I estimate the effects of framing racial equity in education around "achievement gaps" (AGs) vs OGs. I find US adult respondents on MTurk gave higher priority to "closing the racial opportunity gap" versus "closing the racial achievement gap" (ES = 0.11 SD). When randomly assigned to read an OG frame before being asked to explain the Black/White "achievement gap," respondents were less likely to endorse cultural or individual-level explanations, compared with respondents only shown AG statistics (ES = -0.10 SD). I find no evidence the OG frame affected respondents' racial stereotypes or policy preferences. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | ED665407 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Racial equity in education is often framed around "closing the achievement gap," but many scholars argue this frame perpetuates deficit mindsets. The "opportunity gap" (OG) frame has been offered as an alternative to focus attention on structural injustices. In a preregistered survey experiment, I estimate the effects of framing racial equity in education around "achievement gaps" (AGs) vs OGs. I find US adult respondents on MTurk gave higher priority to "closing the racial opportunity gap" versus "closing the racial achievement gap" (ES = 0.11 SD). When randomly assigned to read an OG frame before being asked to explain the Black/White "achievement gap," respondents were less likely to endorse cultural or individual-level explanations, compared with respondents only shown AG statistics (ES = -0.10 SD). I find no evidence the OG frame affected respondents' racial stereotypes or policy preferences. |
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