Academic Achievement and Classification of Students from the Freely Associated States in Guam Schools. REL 2017-260

Guam is home to the largest population of migrants from the Freely Associated States (FAS): the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. FAS students made up 22 percent of total student enrollment in Guam public schools in 2012. FAS students face a number of challenges when they enter Guam public schools, including low English language proficiency and low socioeconomic status. Using data from the 2013/14 administration of the Stanford Achievement Test 10th edition reading, math, and language arts subtests in Guam, this study sought to better understand how the characteristics and outcomes of FAS students compare with those of other students in Guam. This study analyzed comparative achievement and support services data that may help stakeholders identify next steps in meeting the needs of FAS students in Guam. The study also examined how SAT-10 performance as well as English learner and special education classification rates vary by school level (elementary, middle, or high school) and across the four Guam Department of Education school regions of Haya (southern), Kattan (eastern), Lagu (northern), and Luchan (western), which correspond to the school districts in Guam. The study found that few test takers (both FAS and non-FAS students) scored at proficient or advanced levels and that FAS students were more likely than non-FAS students to receive a below basic score and less likely to receive any other score. FAS students were more likely than non-FAS students to be classified as English learner students and less likely to be receiving special education services. The following are appended: (1) Literature review; (2) Data sources and methodology; and (3) Cross-tabulation tables.