Computer Science Course Taking and College Major Declaration: Longitudinal Evidence From a Large Urban District

• In Event: Results of Programs and Practices to Promote Equitable Access and Learning Outcomes

Abstract

Using extant school administrative data from one large urban district, this study employs two-
level logistic regression models to examine the relationship between students' computer science
(CS) coursework in high school and their major declaration in college. Findings provide evidence
that CS exposure in high school is associated with a higher probability of declaring a major in
CS, particularly among students taking Advanced Placement (AP) CS courses or CS courses in
their first year of high school. We also find promising results suggesting that CS course taking
has a larger positive effect for young women. Results from this study underscore that increasing
CS course availability in high schools may be an effective strategy to broaden participation in CS fields.

Authors

• Xia Li, Research Alliance for New York City Schools

• Rishika Jain, New York University

• Janice Lee, Research Alliance for New York City Schools

• Cheri Fancsali, Research Alliance for New York City Schools