ERIC Number: EJ1039773
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2014-Aug
Pages: 35
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1932-202X
EISSN: N/A
STEM High School Communities: Common and Differing Features
Tofel-Grehl, Colby; Callahan, Carolyn M.
Journal of Advanced Academics, v25 n3 p237-271 Aug 2014
Using observations and interviews, the researchers explore the experiences and perspectives of students, teachers, and administrators at six specialized high schools with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as they pertain to the practices and structures affecting student outcomes. Four themes were found to be common across schools: a culture of intellectualism and inclusion, a valuation on research, the role of inquiry, and the importance of personal responsibility and independent learning for students. Nuanced differences were noted across sites, notably the difference in student-reported levels of stress; however, substantial differences in student experiences based on STEM school model type were not observed.
Descriptors: STEM Education, Observation, Interviews, High School Students, Secondary School Teachers, Science Education, Student Experience, Teaching Experience, Specialization, Inclusion, School Culture, Inquiry, Independent Study, Stress Variables, Models, Institutional Characteristics, Special Schools, Qualitative Research, Educational Opportunities, Educational Practices, Classroom Observation Techniques, Focus Groups, Content Analysis, Administrator Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Student Attitudes, Student Research, Thinking Skills, Student Responsibility
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305A060044