Modeling Entrance into STEM Fields of Study Among Students Beginning at Community Colleges and Four-Year Institutions

被引:0
作者
Xueli Wang
机构
[1] University of Wisconsin-Madison,Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
来源
Research in Higher Education | 2013年 / 54卷
关键词
Community college students; STEM education; Choice of major; Social cognitive career theory; Multi-group structural equation modeling;
D O I
暂无
中图分类号
学科分类号
摘要
In this study, a theoretical model is tested to examine factors shaping the decision to pursue STEM fields of study among students entering community colleges and four-year institutions, based on a nationally representative sample of high school graduates from 2004. Applying the social cognitive career theory and multi-group structural equation modeling analysis, this research highlights a number of findings that may point to specific points of intervention along students’ educational pathway into STEM. This study also reveals important heterogeneity in the effects of high school and postsecondary variables based on where students start their postsecondary education: community colleges or four-year institutions. For example, while high school exposure to math and science courses appears to be a strong influence on four-year beginners’ STEM interest, its impact on community college beginners’ STEM interest, albeit being positive, is much smaller. In addition, college academic integration and financial aid receipt exhibit differential effects on STEM entrance, accruing more to four-year college students and less to those starting at community colleges.
引用
收藏
页码:664 / 692
页数:28
相关论文
共 133 条
  • [1] Allen J(2008)Prediction of college major persistence based on vocational interests and first-year academic performance Research in Higher Education 49 62-79
  • [2] Robbins S(2006)New evidence on college remediation Journal of Higher Education 77 887-924
  • [3] Attewell P(2008)Does mathematics remediation work?: A comparative analysis of academic attainment among community college students Research in Higher Education 49 420-450
  • [4] Lavin D(1983)The relationship of mathematics self-efficacy expectations to the selection of science-based college majors Journal of Vocational Behavior 23 329-345
  • [5] Domina T(2004)Bridges or barriers? Public policy and the community college transfer function Change 36 22-29
  • [6] Levey T(2001)ERIC review: Community college students: Recent findings and trends Community College Review 29 77-93
  • [7] Bahr PR(2008)Math and science social cognitive variables in college students: Contributions of contextual factors in predicting goals Journal of Career Assessment 16 425-440
  • [8] Betz NE(2005)Faculty–student interaction at the community college: A focus on students of color Research in Higher Education 46 769-802
  • [9] Hackett G(2009)Student characteristics, pre-college, college, and environmental factors as predictors of majoring in and earning a STEM degree: An analysis of students attending a Hispanic Serving Institution American Educational Research Journal 46 924-942
  • [10] Boswell K(2009)Widening the net: National estimates of gender disparities in engineering Journal of Engineering Education 98 211-226