Open AccessSecondary School Variables in Predicting Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (TEM) Major Choice
Author(s) -
Philip Ruse,
Yonghong Jade Xu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
children and teenagers
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2576-3717
pISSN - 2576-3709
DOI - 10.22158/ct.v1n1p49
Subject(s) - structural equation modeling , mathematics , propensity score matching , matching (statistics) , psychology , mathematics education , zoology , statistics , biology
This paper addresses the growing body of research into factors that can influence the decision for high school students to enter into a Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (TEM) major in college. A total n of 691, including 372 TEM majors (143 female s and 229 male s ) were selected from the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS , 2002) using propensity matching. A Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) methodology was utilized in the Social Cognitive Career Theory framework and showed good model fit in the whole group, female only and male only groups. Though intent to major was a strong predictor, observed gender differences were observed related to latent and endogenous variables .