Dual Enrollment and STEM College Major Aspirations: The Role of Demographics and Course Performance

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Division J Poster Session: College Student Access

Abstract

Research has indicated that inequalities in aspirations of STEM careers are present during students’ years in high school (Sadler, 2012; Saw et al., 2018). Using Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT), this study explores the relationship between demographics and performance in a dual enrollment STEM course and the aspirations to pursue a STEM major in college at the end of the course. Findings suggest that students were less likely to aspire to pursue a STEM degree at the end of the year as the final grade in the course decreased. This study intends to shed first light on the factors in dual enrollment that affect students’ major aspirations. Such insights may contribute to expanding dual enrollment’s role in closing inequities.

Author

• Shruti Khandekar, The University of Texas at Austin