STEM Learning and Learning Environments  

Broadening Participation in STEM

The Role of Executive Function in Mathematics and Science Learning Difficulties of Students with Disabilities

Effective Years: 2016-2021

Executive function (EF) deficits may explain lower math and science achievement for students with and without disabilities and therefore may be essential targets for intervention. Current research in this area often relies on cross-sectional studies using smaller samples of middle and high school students and so this study fills a critical gap by examining relationships between executive function and math and science achievement with younger students in a large, nationally representative longitudinal data set. The study will also explore how performance in these subjects could be negatively impacting students' self-efficacy and views toward math and science. The project's findings will inform screening, monitoring, and intervention efforts for students with or at risk for disabilities when these efforts may be most effective. This project will use the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K) data set to investigate whether executive function deficits are related to lower mathematics and science achievement for at-risk students and students with disabilities. The researchers will use growth mixture modeling to identify early trajectories of EF and science and math achievement. The ECLS-K dataset is a large, nationally representative cohort of students followed from Kindergarten until the end of fifth grade. While controlling for a number of confounding variables, the researchers will use multivariate regression models to identify potential areas of STEM intervention. This project is supported by NSF's EHR Core Research (ECR) program. The ECR program emphasizes fundamental STEM education research that generates foundational knowledge in the field. Investments are made in critical areas that are essential, broad and enduring: STEM learning and STEM learning environments, broadening participation in STEM, and STEM workforce development. The program supports the accumulation of robust evidence to inform efforts to understand, build theory to explain, and suggest intervention and innovations to address persistent challenges in STEM interest, education, learning and participation.

6 Publications Related to This Project: