Postsecondary Education

Members of the PLTW research team from the UERC, St. Louis University and the University of Missouri-Columbia presented their research at STEM Day at the Missouri Capitol.  The presentation shows rates of enrollment and degree completion in STEM programs in college for Missouri high school students.  The presentation also extends the results of the final PLTW report (click to view final report) by providing more rigorous estimates of the impact of PLTW on STEM enrollment and degree completion in college.

 

 

Year: 2023

Product Type: Report

Focus Areas: Career Pathways

This report examines the potential impact of Project Lead the Way (PLTW) on two cohorts of Missouri students who began high school in 2013 and 2014 (145,619 students).  These students were tracked through high school and into post-secondary education and training programs up to and including academic year 2019-2020.  Thirteen percent of all cohort members enrolled in at least one PLTW course. Students who took PLTW courses outperformed those who did not on all high school and college outcomes examined, and these positive outcomes persisted even after controlling for school and student characteristics, including students’ achievement prior to high school. Differences between students who did and did not take PLTW courses were substantially larger for those who took two or more PLTW courses compared to those taking only a single PLTW course.

Year: 2022

Product Type: Report

Focus Areas: Career Pathways, STEM Education, Postsecondary Education