College-Going Hispanic Students' Math and Science Expectancy-Value Latent Classes and Majoring in STEM

• In Event: 67.069 - Sheraton Roundtable 14 - Osgoode Ballroom
  In Roundtable Session: 67.069-3 - Roundtable: Research on Science Learning and Higher Education

Abstract

STEM fields are the fastest growing fields in the American and global economy. Each year, the lack of qualified candidates for jobs in these fields leads to vacancies and lost productivity. In particular, students of Hispanic origin continue to be vastly underrepresented in STEM. The HSLS:09 data set was used to estimate math and science expectancy-value motivation classes of high school Hispanic college-going students. Four latent classes were identified – Math and Science; Science Only; Math Only; and Neither. Classes were related to majoring in a STEM field. Membership in the normative class, Math and Science, is most associated with majoring in STEM. The Science Only and Math Only classes were as associated with majoring in STEM as the Nether class.

Authors

• David McKinney, Johns Hopkins University

• Dhathri Chunduru, Johns Hopkins University – Baltimore