On-Track for STEM Careers: Access to Rigorous and Relevant STEM Courses in Florida's High Schools

智能优点：这项研究将为政策制定者和研究人员研究和澄清全州政策变化的影响，这些政策变化为更多的学校和学生提供了高级STEM课程。 提案人将分析政策变化对所有学生的影响程度，特别是在STEM领域代表性不足的学生。 这项研究，然后，将提供有关政策变化的有效性的利益相关者谁有既得利益的理解在高中和大学早期的STEM课程的学生入学先进的课程计划的影响的关键信息。 该项目将解决两个关键的研究问题：1。谁参加加速学术课程？ 影响不同加速和非加速课程计划入学的因素（学生和学校）是什么？2.加速的学术课程会增加学生吗？在高中和中学后的第一年（13年级）参加STEM课程？ 一些项目是否比其他项目更能增加STEM课程的学习？ 这些项目是否减少了历史上代表性不足的学生和他们的同龄人在STEM课程上的差距？提案人将使用混合方法的方法来解决的研究问题，其中包括在佛罗里达州现存的纵向数据的定量分析和定性评估的非统计因素，通过现场访问学校。 来自佛罗里达教育部（FLDOE）的十年定量数据将作为主要的信息来源，提案人将使用这些数据来研究学生和学校的特点。 FLDOE数据集包括一系列丰富的高中和中学后数据（例如成绩单;这些课程的双招生和成绩数据; 1-12年级的常规学校考试成绩;人口统计数据;贫困指数信息）。 两套学校将在州内进行实地考察？的主要城市中心以及小型郊区高中，以提供通过定量分析无法获得的见解。 在初次访问期间，将通过课程目录和与学校工作人员的访谈收集数据。 对于后续访问，将通过学生焦点小组收集有关课程提供和课程学习各个方面的数据。 更广泛的影响：对高级STEM课程学生入学知识领域的贡献可能会推动这一领域的发现。 这项工作的广泛性（在数学和科学方面检查从高中到大学的学生和学校因素）增加了结果对地方和国家决策者和研究人员的重要性。广泛的专门知识（个人和机构）大大增加了建议的力度，并提高了预期成果的可信度。 从以前的工作中吸取的经验教训将作为一些研究的发展基础？的数据收集工具。传播计划是强有力的，城市研究所似乎完全有能力执行工作范围的这一部分。

Intelligent Merit: This study will examine and clarify for policymakers and researchers the impact of statewide policy changes that increased the availability of advanced STEM courses for a greater number of schools and students. The proposer will analyze the extent to which the policy changes affect outcomes for all students, particularly students who are underrepresented in STEM areas. This study, then, will provide critical information about the effectiveness of policy changes for stakeholders who have a vested interest in understanding the effects of advanced curricular programs on student enrollment in STEM courses during high school and early college. The project will address two key research questions: 1. Who enrolls in accelerated academic programs? What are the factors (the student and school) that influence enrollment in different accelerated and non-accelerated curricular programs? 2. Do accelerated academic programs increase students? STEM coursetaking in high school and during their first year of postsecondary school (Grade 13)? Do some programs increase STEM coursetaking more than others? Do these programs reduce gaps in STEM coursetaking among historically underrepresented students and their peers?The proposer will use a mixed method approach to address the research questions that includes a quantitative analysis of extant longitudinal data in the state of Florida and a qualitative assessment of non-statistical factors through site visits to schools. Ten years of quantitative data from the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) will serve as the main source of information the proposer will use to study the characteristics of both students and schools. The FLDOE dataset includes a rich array of high school and postsecondary data (e.g. transcripts; dual enrollment and achievement data in these courses; regular 1-12 grades school test scores; demographic data; poverty index information). Two sets of school site visits will be conducted in the state?s major urban centers as well as small suburban high schools to provide insights not captured through quantitative analysis. During the initial visits, data will be collected via course catalogs and interviews with school personnel. For follow-up visits, data will be collected through student focus groups about all aspects of course offerings and course taking. Broader Impacts: Contribution to the field of knowledge about student enrollment in advanced STEM coursework will likely advance discovery in this area. The extensiveness of the work (examination of student and school factors from high school to college in mathematics and science) increases the importance of results to local and national policymakers and researchers. The wide range of expertise (individuals and institutions) adds significantly to the strength of the proposal and increases the credibility of expected outcomes. Lessons-learned from prior work will serve as the foundation for the development of some of the study?s data collection instruments. The dissemination plan is strong and the Urban Institute appears well positioned to carry out this component of the scope of work.