SAT patterns and engineering and computer science college majors: an intersectional, state-level study
Abstract Background Numerous efforts worldwide have been made to increase diversity in engineering and computer science (ECS), fields that pay well and promote upward mobility. However, in the United States (U.S.), females and students from underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups (URM) still...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2022-11-01
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| Series: | International Journal of STEM Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-022-00384-6 |
| _version_ | 1811233676330008576 |
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| author | Lin Tan Isabel S. Bradburn David B. Knight Timothy Kinoshita Jacob Grohs |
| author_facet | Lin Tan Isabel S. Bradburn David B. Knight Timothy Kinoshita Jacob Grohs |
| author_sort | Lin Tan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Numerous efforts worldwide have been made to increase diversity in engineering and computer science (ECS), fields that pay well and promote upward mobility. However, in the United States (U.S.), females and students from underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups (URM) still pursue ECS training far less than do their peers. The current study explored sex and racial/ethnic differences in ECS college enrollment as a function of math and verbal SAT score patterns (balanced or imbalanced) using an intersectional approach within a U.S. context. Data represented a census of students who took the SAT, graduated from all Virginia public high schools between 2006 and 2015, and enrolled in a 4-year college (N = 344,803). Results Our findings show, within each sex, URM students were at least as likely as their non-URM peers to enroll in ECS programs when they scored within similar SAT score ranges. Students were more likely to enroll in ECS programs if their SAT profile favored math, compared to students with similar math and verbal SAT scores (balanced profile). This overall pattern is notably less pronounced for URM female students; their propensity to major in ECS appeared to be largely independent of verbal scores. Conclusions Our findings inform strategies to diversify ECS enrollment. If programs continue to emphasize SAT scores during admission decisions or if more systemic issues of resource allocation in secondary schools are not addressed, other efforts to broaden participation in ECS programs may fall short of goals. Our findings also highlight the importance of considering the intersection of sex and race/ethnicity for recruitment or other educational promotions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T11:24:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bd1eac750db843719adbcbef9dd09268 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2196-7822 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T11:24:37Z |
| publishDate | 2022-11-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of STEM Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-bd1eac750db843719adbcbef9dd092682022-12-22T03:35:16ZengSpringerOpenInternational Journal of STEM Education2196-78222022-11-019111310.1186/s40594-022-00384-6SAT patterns and engineering and computer science college majors: an intersectional, state-level studyLin Tan0Isabel S. Bradburn1David B. Knight2Timothy Kinoshita3Jacob Grohs4Department of Human Development and Family Science, Virginia TechDepartment of Human Development and Family Science, Virginia TechDepartment of Engineering Education, Virginia TechDepartment of Engineering Education, Virginia TechDepartment of Engineering Education, Virginia TechAbstract Background Numerous efforts worldwide have been made to increase diversity in engineering and computer science (ECS), fields that pay well and promote upward mobility. However, in the United States (U.S.), females and students from underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups (URM) still pursue ECS training far less than do their peers. The current study explored sex and racial/ethnic differences in ECS college enrollment as a function of math and verbal SAT score patterns (balanced or imbalanced) using an intersectional approach within a U.S. context. Data represented a census of students who took the SAT, graduated from all Virginia public high schools between 2006 and 2015, and enrolled in a 4-year college (N = 344,803). Results Our findings show, within each sex, URM students were at least as likely as their non-URM peers to enroll in ECS programs when they scored within similar SAT score ranges. Students were more likely to enroll in ECS programs if their SAT profile favored math, compared to students with similar math and verbal SAT scores (balanced profile). This overall pattern is notably less pronounced for URM female students; their propensity to major in ECS appeared to be largely independent of verbal scores. Conclusions Our findings inform strategies to diversify ECS enrollment. If programs continue to emphasize SAT scores during admission decisions or if more systemic issues of resource allocation in secondary schools are not addressed, other efforts to broaden participation in ECS programs may fall short of goals. Our findings also highlight the importance of considering the intersection of sex and race/ethnicity for recruitment or other educational promotions.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-022-00384-6EngineeringMathematical achievementSex and race/ethnicityPostsecondary educationIntersectionality |
| spellingShingle | Lin Tan Isabel S. Bradburn David B. Knight Timothy Kinoshita Jacob Grohs SAT patterns and engineering and computer science college majors: an intersectional, state-level study International Journal of STEM Education Engineering Mathematical achievement Sex and race/ethnicity Postsecondary education Intersectionality |
| title | SAT patterns and engineering and computer science college majors: an intersectional, state-level study |
| title_full | SAT patterns and engineering and computer science college majors: an intersectional, state-level study |
| title_fullStr | SAT patterns and engineering and computer science college majors: an intersectional, state-level study |
| title_full_unstemmed | SAT patterns and engineering and computer science college majors: an intersectional, state-level study |
| title_short | SAT patterns and engineering and computer science college majors: an intersectional, state-level study |
| title_sort | sat patterns and engineering and computer science college majors an intersectional state level study |
| topic | Engineering Mathematical achievement Sex and race/ethnicity Postsecondary education Intersectionality |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-022-00384-6 |
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