STEM Education Reform in Urban High Schools: Opportunities, Constraints, Culture, and Outcomes

STEM Education Reform in Urban High Schools provides an in-depth look at the challenges faced by marginalized students in STEM education and offers strategies for schools to better support these learners. The book follows the educational experiences of high-ability students from eight public high schools with nonselective admissions policies and high proportions of low-income and minoritized students. It identifies patterns in the educational paths of successful and unsuccessful students and discusses common mechanisms that undermine STEM programming. The authors also explore how and why STEM education reform efforts fail and succeed and provide lessons for future initiatives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 13 September 2022
Publisher: Harvard Educational Publishing Group

STEM Education Reform in Urban High Schools provides a comprehensive exploration of the challenges faced by marginalized students in STEM education, shedding light on the strategies schools can employ to enhance their support for these learners. Drawing from a nine-year ethnographic study, the book meticulously chronicles the outcomes of diverse STEM education reforms implemented in eight public high schools with nonselective admissions policies and significant populations of low-income and minority students. The authors, Margaret A. Eisenhart and Lois Weis, closely follow the educational journeys of high-ability students from each school, tracing their high school-to-college-to-career trajectories. Through in-depth interviews, observations in classrooms and campuses, and a thorough analysis of relevant data, the authors identify patterns in the educational paths of students who excel in STEM occupations and those who face barriers to success. They delve into the common mechanisms that undermine the stated goals of STEM programming, such as inequitable opportunity structures, erosion of program quality, and resource diversion. Additionally, the book delves into the social and cultural constructs (the figured worlds of STEM) that exclude many minoritized students with potential for success from the STEM pipeline.

On a broader level, the book examines the factors that contribute to the success and failure of STEM education reform efforts. With a focus on increasing access to STEM learning, the authors draw valuable insights from past initiatives to inform future endeavors. The book serves as a valuable resource for educators, policymakers, and stakeholders seeking to improve the outcomes of STEM education in urban high schools. By highlighting the experiences of marginalized students and examining the underlying factors that hinder their success, it provides valuable guidance for implementing effective reforms that promote equity and inclusivity in STEM education.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781682537626