Project Lead the Way: Quasi-Experimental Evaluation in Texas

• In Event: Pathways Into STEM Fields: Studies of Project Lead the Way

Abstract

Objectives
Project Lead the Way (PLTW) offers Biomedical and Engineering programs for students in all 50 states. Previous studies found PLTW Engineering was effective at increasing college going rates and increasing wages for non-college going students (Author, 2013). The present study expands prior studies by examining secondary and post-secondary outcomes.

Theoretical Framework
Using QuantCrit, we evaluate how participation in PLTW influences high school graduation rates, post-secondary earnings, and the rate of STEM major enrollment for women and students of color (Gilborne et al., 2018). We also analyze the post-secondary outcomes for underserved students in STEM.

Analytic Methods
We used a quasi-experimental design we compare outcomes for PLTW students with matched non-PLTW students based on similar course enrollment (e.g., PLTW Biomedical versus non-PLTW Biomedical), student demographic characteristics, and prior achievement (e.g., test scores). We ran basic descriptives, and regression models to determine the effect of PLTW curricula on short- and longer-term outcomes.

Data Sources and Descriptive Analysis
We used the REDEE Center’s Texas longitudinal database that includes 5.5 million students and 350,000 teachers matched by class assignment from 2011-12 through 2019-20. We used statewide course codes and roster information to match PLTW and non-PLTW courses to create the comparison group. We also matched students to post-secondary enrollment in Texas and nationally. To compare the post-secondary income differences for non-college going students, we merged in Texas unemployment insurance wage data for each student.

Results
We found the demographic characteristics of students in PLTW vary across programs (see Table 1). We also found students in the PLTW Biomedical track had equivalent odds of high school graduation, higher odds of going to college (Odds Ratio/OR=1.35), and higher odds of majoring in STEM (OR=1.28) compared to non-PLTW Biomedical programs. We also found students in the PLTW Engineering track had 1.33 greater odds of high school graduation, higher odds of going to college (OR=1.23), and higher odds of majoring in STEM (OR=1.57). Non-college-going PLTW students earned marginally or significantly more than matched students.

Significance
PLTW’s STEM programs enroll diverse students, and they are more successful on short- and longer-term outcomes. PLTW students are equally or more likely to graduate from high school, more likely to go to college, and more likely to declare STEM majors than matched students who took similar non-PLTW programs. Both PLTW programs are helping to improve the size of and the diversity of the STEM pipelines.

Authors

• Jim Van Overschelde, Texas State University

• Sarah Guthery, University of Oklahoma