Demographic Variation in Enrollment in Engineering Across Virginia's High Schools

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 64
  In Roundtable Session: Longitudinal Perspectives on College Access

Abstract

Our paper focuses on students’ selection of engineering as a major as a function of high school attended. Because high schools offer different resources, access to capital, and educational experiences, we posit using social cognitive career theory that students’ selection of engineering as a major would differ across high schools. Drawing on a state longitudinal data system that includes all students enrolled in high school linked to their subsequent postsecondary enrollment, we explore differences in engineering yield from each high school as a function of school size. We show high variation in the relationship between engineering enrollment and high school size as well as different patterns across different demographic groups. Our future research seeks to investigate these differences.

Authors

• David Knight, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Jacob R Grohs, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Timothy J Kinoshita, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Andrew Gillen, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Lin Tan, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Isabel Bradburn, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Holly Marie Matusovich, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

• Cheryl Carrico, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University