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.