From Awareness to Action: High School Counselors Navigating Stereotype Threat in STEM

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Friday 9:45am
  In Poster Session: Counseling Poster Session A

Abstract

This study explores how high school counselors understand and respond to stereotype threat, particularly as it shapes the academic pathways of marginalized students in engineering (Weick, 1995; Cornelissen et al., 2014). We conducted focus groups with ten counselors during a professional development workshop centered on stereotype threats and biases in STEM education system. Counselors shared real-world examples of how race and gender-based stereotypes affect students’ confidence, course selection, and self-concept in engineering fields. The findings show how counselors interpret these experiences and actively evolve their practices toward more empathetic, strength-based approaches. The study identifies systemic barriers like limited STEM training and high caseloads and offers actionable strategies to improve counselor training and expand engineering advising in high schools.

Authors

• Junzhao Wang, Arizona State University

• Lydia Ross, Arizona State University

• Medha Dalal, Arizona State University

• Yijia Chen, University of Arizona