scholarly journals Do Career-Engaging Courses Engage Low-Income Students?

AERA Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233285842110533
Author(s):  
Jay Stratte Plasman ◽  
Michael A. Gottfried ◽  
Daniel J. Klasik
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Low Income ◽  
School Engagement ◽  
Low Income Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Career And Technical ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Do So

Encouraging school engagement is crucial to promoting positive outcomes for high school students. One potential means to promote school engagement may be through career and technical education (CTE) coursework, which is specifically designed to be educationally engaging, particularly for vulnerable populations such as those from low-income backgrounds. Yet, little is known about whether these courses do in fact link to higher school engagement. Through analysis of the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009—a nationally representative data set—we explored the link between STEM-focused CTE (STEM-CTE) coursetaking and school engagement for low-income students. To do so, we employed an instrumental variable estimation technique and found that taking STEM-CTE courses related to higher school engagement for low-income students. We conclude with a discussion of implications for students, practitioners, and policymakers.

STEM-Focused Career Courses and College Pipeline for Students with Learning Disabilities

2021 ◽  
pp. 089590482110199
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Freeman ◽  
Michael A. Gottfried ◽  
Jay Stratte Plasman
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
High School Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Students With Learning Disabilities ◽  
School Students ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Stem Majors ◽  
Career And Technical ◽  
Nationally Representative

Recent educational policies in the United States have fostered the growth of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) career-focused courses to support high school students’ persistence into these fields in college and beyond. As one key example, federal legislation has embedded new types of “applied STEM” (AS) courses into the career and technical education curriculum (CTE), which can help students persist in STEM through high school and college. Yet, little is known about the link between AS-CTE coursetaking and college STEM persistence for students with learning disabilities (LDs). Using a nationally representative data set, we found no evidence that earning more units of AS-CTE in high school influenced college enrollment patterns or major selection in non-AS STEM fields for students with LDs. That said, students with LDs who earned more units of AS-CTE in high school were more likely to seriously consider and ultimately declare AS-related STEM majors in college.

scholarly journals Who’s Taking What? “Applied STEM” Coursetaking for High School Students With Learning Disabilities

AERA Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233285842199907
Author(s):  
Michael A. Gottfried ◽  
Jay Plasman ◽  
Jennifer A. Freeman ◽  
Shaun Dougherty
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
High School Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Students With Learning Disabilities ◽  
School Students ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Career And Technical ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
And Mathematics

Increasing and improving the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational pipeline has been a point of emphasis for decades, and federal policy in the United States has urged high schools to embed new types of STEM courses into the curriculum. As one example, applied STEM courses—one growing branch within career and technical education (CTE)—are designed to reinforce traditional academic STEM content and to motivate students’ interests and long-term pursuits in STEM areas. That said, little is known about who takes these courses, and applied-STEM-CTE enrollment in these courses has not been explored in the research for students with learning disabilities. Using the High School Longitudinal Study (a nationally representative data set of high school students), we asked whether CTE coursetaking differed for students with learning disabilities compared with those without disabilities, and whether there were specific coursetaking differences in applied-STEM-CTE. We found that students with learning disabilities were more likely to earn more units in CTE courses compared with students without disabilities. Yet, when looking at applied-STEM-CTE courses, we see that although students with learning disabilities earn more CTE units than students without disabilities, students with learning disabilities do not take different amounts of applied-STEM-CTE courses. Implications are discussed.

Applied STEM Coursework, High School Dropout Rates, and Students With Learning Disabilities

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 664-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Stratte Plasman ◽  
Michael A. Gottfried
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Learning Disabilities ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Postsecondary Education ◽  
Dropout Rates ◽  
Students With Learning Disabilities ◽  
School Students ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Educational History ◽  
Nationally Representative

Applied science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) coursetaking is becoming more commonplace in traditional high school settings to help students reinforce their learning in academic STEM courses. Throughout U.S. educational history, vocational education has been a consistent focus for schools to keep students on the school-to-career pathway. However, very few studies have examined the role of applied STEM coursetaking in improving schooling outcomes for students with learning disabilities. This is a major missing link as students with learning disabilities tend to exhibit much higher dropout rates than students from the general population. This study examines mechanisms displayed through applied STEM courses and the role they play in helping students with learning disabilities complete high school and transition into college. Using a nationally representative data set of high school students and their full transcripts (i.e., Education Longitudinal Study of 2002), we found that students with learning disabilities who took applied STEM courses significantly increased their educational outcomes in the following ways: lowered chances of dropout, increased math test scores, and increased enrollment in postsecondary education. While the general student population also benefited by taking applied STEM courses, the advantages were greater for those students with learning disabilities.

Fostering Positive Youth Development through Work-Based Learning: The Cristo Rey Model

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (13) ◽  
pp. 232-252
Author(s):  
Janine Bempechat ◽  
Maureen E. Kenny ◽  
David L. Blustein ◽  
Joanne R. Seltzer
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Youth Development ◽  
Low Income ◽  
School Engagement ◽  
Academic Motivation ◽  
School Students ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Adult Role ◽  
Cristo Rey

This chapter presents findings of a three-year longitudinal study of academic motivation and school engagement among low-income high school students enrolled in a corporate work–study program. Our findings demonstrate ways in which the workplace functioned for students as a conduit of emotional resources, offering instrumental support from caring and competent adults, knowledge about the connection between work and school, and an opportunity to occupy the essential adult role of worker.

Beyond Academic Math: The Role of Applied STEM Course Taking in High School

2014 ◽  
Vol 116 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Gottfried ◽  
Robert Bozick ◽  
Sinduja V. Srinivasan
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
National Level ◽  
School Students ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Els 2002 ◽  
Federal Initiatives ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12

Background/Context Educational policymakers and researchers are concerned about the declining quantity and quality of U.S. students in line to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. As one policy response, a number of federal initiatives have been enacted to enhance STEM curriculum in schools. Part of this push has been to offer applied STEM courses in the K–12 curriculum to reinforce academic STEM material as well as motivate students to remain in these fields. Prior to this current study, no national-level research has evaluated the effectiveness of these courses. Purpose (a) What applied STEM courses are most commonly taken by high school students? (b) To what extent are high school students taking both academic math courses and applied STEM courses? (c) Do applied STEM courses in high school improve achievement in math? Participants To address the three research questions listed above, this study relies on a comprehensive longitudinal dataset: the Education Longitudinal Survey (ELS:2002). The present study is based on a sample of approximately 11,112 students who participated in the base-year (10th grade, 2002) and first follow-up (12th grade 2004) interviews, who completed math assessments in both years, and for whom valid transcript information was collected. Research Design This study begins with a descriptive analysis to evaluate which students have taken applied STEM courses and at which ability level. From this, a common set of applied STEM courses is determined across this nationally representative dataset. Next, this study relies on a linear regression model of math achievement where the dependent variable is a standardized math score. Independent covariates include measures as to whether or not a student had taken applied STEM courses, academic math courses taken by the student, and a range of controls. Findings Students who take an applied STEM course had higher math scores than their peers who did not take an applied STEM course, all else equal. These courses may be particularly beneficial for those students who are less oriented toward advanced math. Conclusions/Recommendations Applied STEM courses can be used to support learning in math instructed elsewhere in the curriculum, particularly for those students at the lower end of the math pipeline. In providing hands-on learning, often with technology and with direct application to concrete occupationally specific problems, applied STEM courses may serve as a critical means to support an understanding of concepts taught in lower level math pipeline courses.

Using Technology to Create Children's Books for Students by Students

2011 ◽  
pp. 425-436
Author(s):  
Lyn C. Howell
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Reading Skills ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Letter Writing ◽  
Children's Books ◽  
Older Students ◽  
School Students ◽  
Children's Book ◽  
Do So

This chapter describes a children’s book project in which high school students used technology to create e-books for younger students. The benefits of the project for both younger and older students are discussed. Older students developed technology and writing skills; younger students developed letter writing and reading skills. The process is also detailed in the hope that others who might be interested in replicating the project in their own classroom would be able to do so.

scholarly journals Factors associated with cigarette experimentation among adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 421-454
Author(s):  
Luciene Dias Bispo Veiga ◽  
Claudio Bispo de Almeida ◽  
Paulo Da Fonseca Valença Neto ◽  
Adriana Alves Nery ◽  
Djanilson Barbosa dos Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Prevalence Ratio ◽  
Simple Random Sample ◽  
School Students ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Informed Consent Form ◽  
La Red

Objetivo: El presente estudio pretende identificar la prevalencia y factores asociados a la experimentación de tabaco en adolescentes.Método: El estudio epidemiológico, transversal, descriptivo y analítico realizado con una muestra aleatoria simple de escolares con edad de 14 a 19 años, matriculados en escuelas públicas de enseñanza media de la red estadual del área urbana del municipio de Jequié-BA. Se utilizó un cuestionario auto-aplicable de llenado voluntario, tras la firma del término de consentimiento libre y aclarado por el responsable cuando menor de 18 años. Se empleó el programa Epi DATA para la digitación de los datos y programa SPSS para calcular la razón de prevalencia y realizar la regresión de Poisson. Resultados: En el estudio de 765 adolescentes, siendo 59,9% del sexo femenino, 80,4% de etnia no blanca, 71,4% sin ocupación remunerada, 74% menos favorecidos económicamente y 37,9% consumen bebida alcohólica. El promedio de edad fue de 16,55 años (dp ± 1,33) años. La prevalencia de la experimentación de tabaco fue del 22,4%. Las variables: padres fuman (RP = 1,57, IC95%: 1,15-2,12), amigos fuman (RP = 2,15, IC95%: 1,56-2,95), uso de bebidas alcohólicas PR = 2,05; IC del 95%: 1.46 a 2.88) y la edad (OR = 1,36; IC del 95%: 1,01-1,84) fueron los que permitieron predecir mejor el riesgo de que un escolar experimente con el tabaco. Conclusiones: La prevalencia de experimentación fue 22,4%, y las variables que mejor permitieron predecir la predisposición de un escolar a experimentar el tabaco fueron tener padres fumadores, tener amigos que fuman, hacer uso de bebidas alcohólicas y ser del grupo de edad de 17 a 19 años. Objective: The present study aims to identify the prevalence and factors associated with cigarette experimentation among adolescents.Method: Cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical epidemiological study carried out with a simple random sample of students aged 14-19 years enrolled in public high schools in the urban area of the city of Jequié, in the state of Bahia. After the A self-administered questionnaire of voluntary completion was used after the participants (or their parents/guardians in the case of participants under 18) signed the free informed consent form. Data was entered with Epi DATA software and SPSS software was used to calculate the prevalence ratio and perform Poisson regression. Results: The study sample consisted of 765 adolescents, as follows: 59.9% were female individuals, 80.4% were non-white, 71.4% did not have a paid job, 74% lived in low-income families, and 37.9% used alcohol. The mean age was 16.55 years (sd ± 1.33) years. The prevalence of smoking experimentation was 22.4%. The variables: parental smoking (PR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.15-2.12), smoking friends (RP = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.56-2.95), alcohol drinking (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.46-2.88), and age group (RP = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.01-1.84) were the best predictors of the risk for experimentation with cigarettes among high school students.Conclusions: The prevalence of experimentation was 22.4%, and the variables that best predicted the likelihood of experimenting with tobacco among high school students were smoking parents, smoking friends, alcohol use and aged 17-19 years. Objetivo: O presente estudo visa identificar a prevalência e fatores associados à experimentação de tabaco em adolescentes.Método: Estudo epidemiológico, transversal, descritivo e analítico realizado com uma amostra aleatória simples, de escolares com idade de 14 a 19 anos, matriculada em escolas públicas de ensino médio da rede estadual da área urbana do município de Jequié-BA. Utilizou-se um questionário auto-aplicável de preenchimento voluntário, após assinatura do termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido pelo responsável quando menor de 18 anos. Empregou-se o programa Epi DATA para a digitação dos dados e programa SPSS para calcular a razão de prevalência e realizar a regressão de Poisson.Resultados: Participaram do estudo 765 adolescentes, sendo 59,9% do sexo feminino, 80,4% de etnia não branca, 71,4% sem ocupação remunerada, 74% menos favorecidos economicamente e 37,9% fazem uso de bebida alcoólica. A média de idade foi de 16,55 anos (dp±1,33) anos. A prevalência da experimentação de tabaco foi de 22,4%. As variáveis: pais fumam (RP=1,57; IC95%:1,15-2,12), amigos fumam (RP=2,15; IC95%:1,56-2,95), uso de bebidas alcoólicas (RP=2,05; IC95%:1,46-2,88) e grupo etário (RP= 1,36; IC95%:1,01-1,84) foram as que melhor permitiram prever o risco de um escolar vir a experimentar tabaco.Conclusões: A prevalência de experimentação foi 22,4%, e as variáveis que melhor permitiram prever a predisposição de um escolar vir a experimentar o tabaco foram possuir pais fumantes, ter amigos que fumam, fazer uso de bebidas alcoólicas e serem do grupo etário de 17 a 19 anos.

Suggestions of the Postmodern Self: Value Changes in American High School Students, 1976–1996

2003 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth Ovadia
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
School Students ◽  
Postmodern Theory ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Value Changes ◽  
Postmodern Self

Following Allen and Turner's suggestion “to bring data to bear on the claims of postmodern theory,” this article evaluates one aspect of Kenneth Gergen's theory of social saturation. In The Saturated Self, Gergen proposes that the postmodern self can be seen in the increase in the number and diversity of values that individuals hold to be important. This “populating of the self” also leads to an abandonment of modernist ideas about truth and absolute knowledge. Using data from a nationally representative sample of American high school seniors, I test Gergen's theory about change in the values of individuals. Between 1976 and 1996 the importance of most values in the survey has increased, with only one of the fourteen values (finding meaning in life) declining in importance. These results support Gergen's theory of social saturation and provide an example of an empirical evaluation of a postmodern theory.

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