ETHNIC AND RACIAL SIMILARITY IN DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESS - A STUDY OF ACADEMIC-ACHIEVEMENT

Correlation matrices were computed on academic achievement and family environment measures using longitudinal data on siblings. The 8 x 8 con elation matrices were computed on Hispanics, blacks, and whites separately. When compared employing a LISREL method, the matrices were equal across these ethnic-racial groups. Hence, developmental processes influencing academic achievement may be similar in Hispanics, blacks, and whites. A structural equation model with four free parameters was fitted successfully to a correlation matrix pooled across groups. As a single structural equation model fitted all groups, the existence of minority-specific developmental processes was not supported.