Ethnic Differences in Course Selection Among British Columbia High School Students

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  In Roundtable Session: Schooling in the Middle and Then in High School: Studying the Importance of School Settings

Abstract

The study examines high school students’ science-related course choices in the culturally diverse school system of British Columbia. The analysis is based on K-12 provincial data and includes students born in 1990. The sample thus reflects the presence of large numbers of immigrant students for whom English is not a first language. We construct an empirical model that examines ethno-linguistic differences in course choices while accounting for personal and situational differences among students. Findings indicate that course choice is strongly associated with ethnicity, qualified not only by gender, school SES, prior achievement but also by the individual’s grade level at entry to the system. Implications of early and late entry by immigrant students to their course selection patterns are discussed.

Authors

• Maria Adamuti-Trache, The University of Texas - Arlington

• Robert Sweet, Lakehead University