ERIC Number: EJ1390719
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1534-8431
EISSN: EISSN-1532-771X
Available Date: N/A
Understanding Latino Boys' Motivation to Pursue STEM While Navigating School Inequalities
Morales-Chicas, Jessica; Ortiz, Jenny; Tanimura, Desiree M.; Kouyoumdjian, Claudia
Journal of Latinos and Education, v22 n3 p1268-1280 2023
Latino boys' motivational beliefs in STEM remain under-examined in the literature, especially during middle school when building a strong STEM trajectory is critical for future success in STEM. The current study used Expectancy-Value Theory to analyze how Latino boys interpreted their expectancies and values in order to better understand their motivational beliefs. Furthermore, Critical Race Theory was incorporated to help identify the structural inequalities and familial motivational mechanisms that Latino boys perceived to play a role in their STEM persistence. A total of 89, predominantly low-income, Latino boys in middle school participated in focus groups. We analyzed the focus group data using deductive content analysis to examine students' expectancies and values and a hybrid inductive and deductive approach to examine perceived barriers and family motivators. The results illustrated boys' interpretations of their expectancies and subjective task values (i.e., utility, attainment, interest, and cost values) as contributors to their choices and persistence in STEM. Moreover, although boys perceived inequalities in STEM schooling, families served as primary motivators for students to pursue STEM. The results of this study have important implications for middle school educators who are facilitators of students' achievement motivation and engagement in STEM.
Descriptors: Hispanic American Students, Males, Student Motivation, STEM Education, Academic Aspiration, Equal Education, Student Attitudes, Middle School Students, Expectation, Critical Race Theory, Low Income Students, School Activities, Teacher Role, Racism, Family Role
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A