Could Shifting the Margin between Community College and University Enrollment Expand and Diversify University Degree Production in STEM Fields? Working Paper No. 244-0323-2
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| Title: | Could Shifting the Margin between Community College and University Enrollment Expand and Diversify University Degree Production in STEM Fields? Working Paper No. 244-0323-2 |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Qian, Cheng, Koedel, Cory, National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER) at American Institutes for Research (AIR) |
| Source: | National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research (CALDER). 2023. |
| Availability: | National Center for Analysis of Longitudinal Data in Education Research. American Institutes for Research, 1000 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington, DC 20007. Tel: 202-403-5796; Fax: 202-403-6783; e-mail: info@caldercenter.org; Web site: https://caldercenter.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 62 |
| Publication Date: | 2023 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education Two Year Colleges Secondary Education |
| Descriptors: | STEM Education, Community Colleges, College Enrollment, Enrollment, Human Capital, Labor Needs, Academic Degrees, Majors (Students), Enrollment Influences, Intercollegiate Cooperation, College Preparation, Student Diversity, Predictor Variables, Class Rank, Gender Differences, Educational Policy, Program Effectiveness, Universities, Labor Force Development |
| Geographic Terms: | Missouri |
| Abstract: | We examine the potential to expand and diversify the production of university STEM degrees by shifting the margin of initial enrollment between community colleges and 4-year universities. Our analysis is based on statewide administrative microdata from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development covering enrollees in all public postsecondary institutions statewide. We find that the potential for shifting the enrollment margin to expand degree production in STEM fields is modest, even at an upper bound, because most community college students are not academically prepared for bachelor's degree programs in STEM fields. We also find that shifting the enrollment margin is unlikely to improve racial/ethnic diversity among university STEM degree recipients. This is because community college students at the enrollment margin are less diverse than their peers who enter universities directly. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2023 |
| Accession Number: | ED628016 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | We examine the potential to expand and diversify the production of university STEM degrees by shifting the margin of initial enrollment between community colleges and 4-year universities. Our analysis is based on statewide administrative microdata from the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development covering enrollees in all public postsecondary institutions statewide. We find that the potential for shifting the enrollment margin to expand degree production in STEM fields is modest, even at an upper bound, because most community college students are not academically prepared for bachelor's degree programs in STEM fields. We also find that shifting the enrollment margin is unlikely to improve racial/ethnic diversity among university STEM degree recipients. This is because community college students at the enrollment margin are less diverse than their peers who enter universities directly. |
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