The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same? Prior Achievement Fails to Explain Gender Inequality in Entry Into STEM College Majors Over Time

2012/02/25 by Catherine Riegle‐Crumb, Barbara King, Eric Grodsky +1 · 3 citations
Social Sciences · Psychology · #Career Development and Diversity #Higher Education Research Studies #Education, Achievement, and Giftedness

paper · doi:10.3102/0002831211435229

openalex publication_date 2012/02/25 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02

Abstract

This article investigates the empirical basis for often-repeated arguments that gender differences in entrance into STEM majors are largely explained by disparities in prior achievement. Analyses use data from three national cohorts of college matriculates across three decades to consider differences across several indicators of high school math and science achievement at the mean and also at the top of the test distribution. Analyses also examine the different comparative advantages men and women enjoy in math/science vs. English/reading. Regardless of how prior achievement is measured, very little of the strong and persistent gender gap in physical science and engineering majors over time is explained. Findings highlight the limitations of theories focusing on gender differences in skills and suggest directions for future research.

Citations

• The Development of Gender Achievement Gaps in Mathematics and Reading During Elementary and Middle School
• Some Things Never Change
• Gender As a Social Structure
• Interaction and the Conservation of Gender Inequality: Considering Employment
• The Gender Revolution
• Student Characteristics, Pre-College, College, and Environmental Factors as Predictors of Majoring in and Earning a STEM Degree: An Analysis of Students Attending a Hispanic Serving Institution
• Unpacking the Gender System

Cited by

• Science Achievement Gaps by Gender and Race/Ethnicity in Elementary and Middle School
• Women in Academic Science
• Racial diversity and discrimination in STEM fields [wikipedia]

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• Pipeline Dreams: Occupational Plans and Gender Differences in STEM Major Persistence and Completion
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• Gender inequities throughout STEM: Women with higher grades drop STEM majors while men persist
• Does Gender Composition in a Field of Study Matter? Gender Disparities in College Students’ Academic Self-Concepts