Investigating High School Students' Individual, Environment, and Pygmalion Effect Variables in College Major Selection

• In Event: 54.063 - Parental Involvement in STEM Education

Abstract

This study examines college students’ STEM choices as they relate to high school experiences, parent, teacher, and self expectations, and math and science efficacy. Participants were 2246 graduates of a STEM-focused public Charter School System (CSS) in Texas. Logistic regression analyses revealed that males and Asian students are more likely to choose a STEM major in college than females and non-Asian students, respectively. Students whose parents had a college degree in the US are more likely to major in STEM fields than those who did not. Males with higher math efficacy and females with higher science efficacy are more likely to choose a STEM major than their counterparts with lower math and science efficacy.

Authors

• Alpaslan Sahin, Harmony Public Schools

• Adem Ekmekci, Rice University

• Hersh C. Waxman, Texas A&M University