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Participation in structured STEM‐focused out‐of‐school time programs in secondary school: Linkage to postsecondary STEM aspiration and major
Author(s) -
Chan HsunYu,
Choi Hyejin,
Hailu Meseret F.,
Whitford Melinda,
Duplechain DeRouen Sheila
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of research in science teaching
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.067
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1098-2736
pISSN - 0022-4308
DOI - 10.1002/tea.21629
Subject(s) - socioeconomic status , mathematics education , psychology , expectancy theory , social cognitive theory , medical education , developmental psychology , sociology , medicine , demography , social psychology , population
In this paper, we explore how secondary school students' participation in structured, math‐ and science‐focused programs outside of school is associated with the aspiration to, and actual enrollment in, a STEM major in college. Moreover, we examine how varying sociodemographic backgrounds are related to their participation in these programs. Using expectancy‐value theory and social cognitive career theory as our conceptual frameworks, we conduct a path analysis based on a nationally representative panel dataset. Results indicate that students who participate in structured science‐focused out‐of‐school programs in eighth grade are more likely to express an aspiration to and choosing a STEM major in college. The intersection of sociodemographic backgrounds further highlights the intricate differences in math‐focused programs participation outside of school between Latinx and White adolescents of varying socioeconomic status.