Closing the Excellence Gap: Understanding How to Promote High Achievement with Students from Underserved Populations

• In Event: Pro Bono Education Research Service Projects (ERSPs): AERA's ERSP Initiative

Abstract

High-achieving students from disadvantaged backgrounds are twice to drop out of school as likely as their more advantaged peers, more likely to lose ground as they move forward in their schooling, and less likely to attend or graduate from college. The Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA) is a non-profit West Virginia-based community/campus partnership that helps vulnerable students become successful in college and STEM professions. Data collected over the past 20 years indicate students who complete the HSTA interventions are more likely to attend and graduate from college, more likely to enter STEM fields, and typically earn a salary considerably higher than that of their parents. Unfortunately, 44% of students who enter the HSTA intervention fail to complete the program. The purpose of this research is to (a) identify risk factors for students who do not complete the intervention and (b) inform the development of interventions to mitigate these risk factors. Extensive existing data collected from HSTA participants will be analyzed to identify potential differences between completers and non-completers and inform interventions to reduce HSTA attrition. These findings will then be used to leverage additional support for HSTA and the continuation of research activity, specifically implementation.

Authors

• Carla Brigandi, West Virginia University

• Karen E. Rambo-Hernandez, West Virginia University