This study examines how specific math skills drive upward mobility. Using longitudinal administrative and assessment data, the project will track students’ skill development trajectories across multiple assessments—including subscores from SAT, ACT, AP, and IB math exams—and how they relate to postsecondary, labor market, and civic participation outcomes. Using other subscores (e.g., English language arts), the team will consider which mobility drivers are general cognitive drivers versus math-specific contributions. Additionally, the team will leverage a data-driven math placement policy in one of the nation’s largest school districts to examine how different pathways shape the development of the math skills that drive mobility. This project builds upon cohort 1 studies linking math sub scores from state assessments to economic mobility using widely used middle and high school assessments.

Data Sources 

• Data: Wake County Public School System administrative data, detailed assessment data, civic survey data and preregistration data, and National Student Clearinghouse postsecondary enrollment and completion records
• Mobility Outcomes: North Carolina Unemployment Insurance earnings and employment, voter registration and voting records