This mixed-methods study examined urban adolescents' perceptions of gender and racial/ethnic barriers to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) success, and their meaning-making and coping regarding these experiences. The sample includes surveys from 1024 high school-aged students and interviews from 53 students. Logistic…

Results of this study indicate that the world views of Mexican Americans, blacks, and whites, and their educational and occupational aspirations for their children became more like each other between 1960 and 1971. (Author/AM)

Examined the perceptions of 70 urban and suburban African-American students regarding the influences on their decision making to participate or not participate in higher education. Findings show the importance of racial and cultural considerations and highlight the need for studying students' perceptions. (SLD)

Analyzes African-American and white females' plans for education for 4,573 high school seniors in 1980 from the High School and Beyond Survey. When other factors are controlled, African-American females have plans for higher levels of education, as do females from high-income families and those with mothers with more education. (SLD)