Academic tracking has long been a subject of debate due to its potential impact on educational equity, with students who are tracked highly receiving a higher quality education in comparison to students tracked lowly. These disparities in education quality may be affecting students' outcomes, as it has been demonstrated that the short-term…

Background: We tested the effect of initiating marijuana and alcohol use at varying frequencies on academic indices. Methods: In a sample of 26,475 grade 9-12 students with at least 2 years of linked longitudinal data from year 1 (Y1: 2012-2013), year 2 (Y2: 2013-2014), and year 3 (Y3: 2014-2015) of the COMPASS study, separate multinomial…

Policymakers argue that only by enlarging the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pipeline in a way that attracts, supports, and sustains the participation of students from all kinds of backgrounds can the United States meet its needs for science and technology innovation, economic prosperity, and social well-being (National…

Using a representative longitudinal survey of Texas high school seniors who graduated in 2002, we investigate how college postponement is associated with four-year college expectations and attendance--focusing both on the length of delay and the pathway to the postsecondary system. Like prior studies, we show that family background and student…

Inclusive STEM high schools (ISHSs) (where STEM is science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) admit students on the basis of interest rather than competitive examination. This study examines the central assumption behind these schools--that they provide students from subgroups underrepresented in STEM with experiences that equip them…

Using the Educational Longitudinal Survey of 2002, we investigate variation in factors that contribute to Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White students' educational expectations. Separate multilevel models demonstrate group variation in student and school-level influences. Academic and school factors explained the most variation in White students'…

This report summarizes results of the Spring 2007 Austin Independent School District high school students' exit survey, with comparative results from previous years.