Antiracism and the Problems with “Achievement Gaps” in STEM Education

Abstract

Inspired by the biology education research community’s collective reading of Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist, I draw together recent articles related to “achievement gaps”—a construct identified by Kendi as perpetuating racist ideas. At the same time, I recognize that, for many in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, the notion that achievement gaps exist is evidence of a problem that motivates reform. My hope is that this small collection of recent work can stimulate critical reflection on what we mean by “achievement” in STEM, how we can understand the causes of “gaps,” and what we might consider to be productive steps toward racial equity and justice.