High School Course Selection: Division Between STEM Versus Non-STEM Pathways and Factors Driving These Decisions

• In Event: Fairmont Roundtable Session Two
  In Roundtable Session: Climate and Context of STE(A)M Education (Table 3)

Abstract

This study takes a qualitative approach to examine key processes and factors that students engage in within an “individual choice model” secondary system in which students have much choice over their course enrollments. Drawing on student experiences, this study identified that most students navigate course selection by engaging in a process of self-elimination from specific courses and fields of study. This in turn allows course choice to act as a sorting machine that students use to judge themselves by, through which students end up dividing themselves into STEM and non-STEM pathways. Two key factors behind these decisions are also identified, providing insight on how these important decisions are made which have implications for curricular policy in secondary education.

Author

• Ceara Khoramshahi, University of Toronto
  Presenting Author