Online ISSN: 2325-7466
2006
Triannual
National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET)
United States

Articles

Students with Disabilities’ Perspectives of STEM Content and Careers

  • Kimberly E Bryant Davis (Author) Oklahoma State University image/svg+xml
    Kimberly Davis is an assistant professor of special education in the School of Teaching and Curriculum Leadership at Oklahoma State University. Her research interest include increasing the access of STEM content and careers to students with mild disabilities.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.257
Abstract
The current global economy has led to an increase in the need for workers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Underrepresented populations, such as students with disabilities, are being considered as one way meet the STEM workforce shortages. In order to increase students’ participation in STEM careers, it would be helpful to gauge whether students are interested in STEM content. The current study sought to gauge students with disabilities interest in individual STEM content areas. The research question states: How do middle school students with disabilities perceive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content as measured by STEM Semantics Survey? In total 43 surveys were collected and analyzed. The overall findings indicate that students have the highest perception of technology and the lowest perception of mathematics. Means were analyzed by gender, race/ethnicity, and grade level. Implications and suggestions for practice are shared.
Keywords
Disabilities, Disproportionate Representation, Gender Differences, Instructional Program Divisions, Middle School Students, Preferences
References

Alston, R. J., & Hampton, J. (2000). Science and engineering as viable career choices for students with disabilities: A survey of parents and teachers. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 43(3), 158-164. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/003435520004300306

Alston, R. J., Hampton, J.L., Bell, T.J., & Strauss, M. (1998). Matriculation of persons with disabilities in science and engineering: Perceptions of rehabilitation counselors. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 29(3), 5-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1891/0047-2220.29.3.5

Anderman, Eric M. (1998). The middle school experience: Effects on the math and science achievement of adolescents with LD. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 31(2), 128-138. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002221949803100203

Basham, James D., Israel, Maya, & Maynard, Kathie. (2010). An ecological model of STEM education: Operationalizing STEM FOR ALL. Journal of Special Education Technology, 25(3), 9-19. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/016264341002500303

Bennett, S., & Maton, K. (2010). Beyond the 'digital natives' debate: Towards a more nuanced understanding of students' technology experiences. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 26(5), 321-331. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2729.2010.00360.x

Bennett, S., Maton, Karl, & Kervin, Lisa. (2008). The 'digital natives' debate: A critical review of the evidence. British Journal of Educational Technology, 39(5), 775-786. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8535.2007.00793.x

Burgstahler, Sheryl, & Chang, Chuan. (2009). Promising interventions for promoting STEM fields to students who have disabilities. Review of Disability Studies An International Journal, 5(2), 29-47.

Burgstahler, Sheryl, & Doyle, Andrea. (2005). Gender differences in computer-mediated communication among adolescents with disabilities: A case study. Disability Studies Quarterly, 25(2). http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/552/729 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18061/dsq.v25i2.552

Cantley, Penny. (2011). A study examining the effectiveness of the ME! lessons to teach self-awareness and self-advocacy to students with disabilities. (Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation), University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK. (3454008)

Committee on Equal Opportunities in Science and Engineering. (2006). 2005-2006 Biennial report to Congress. Arlington, VA: National Science Foundation.

Crockett, Jean B. (2004). Taking stock of science in the schoolhouse: Four ideas to foster effective instruction. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 37(3), 189-199. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194040370030201

Dunn, Cari, Rabren, Karen S., Taylor, Stephanie L., & Dotson, Courtney K. (2012). Assisting students with high-incidence disabilities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Intervention in School and Clinic, 48(1), 47-54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1053451212443151

Henderson, C. (1999). College freshman with disabilities: Statistical year 1998. Washington, DC: American Council on Education.

Henderson, C. (2001). College freshman with disabilities: A biennial statisical profile. Washington, DC: American Council on Education.

Jacobs, J. E., & Eccles, J. S. (1992). The impact of mothers' gender-role sterotypic beliefs on mothers' and children's ability perceptions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 63, 932-944. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.63.6.932

Lam, Paul, Doverspike, Dennis, Zhao, Julie, Zhe, John, & Menzemer, Craig. (2008). An evaluation of a STEM program for middle school students on Learning Disability related IEPs. Journal of STEM Education, 9(1&2), 21-29.

Lee, M., & Erdogan, I. (2007). The effect of science-technology-society teaching on students' attitudes toward science and certain aspects of creativeity. International Journal of Science Education, 11, 1315-1327. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09500690600972974

Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (1994). Toward a unifying social cognitive theory of career and academic interest, choice, and performance. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 45, 79-122. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1006/jvbe.1994.1027

Lent, R. W., Brown, S. D., & Hackett, G. (2000). Contextual supports and barriers to career choice: A social congitive analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47, 36-49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-0167.47.1.36

Malian, I. (2007). MVIP: Math villages for inclusive practices: A model to engage all students and teachers in STEM experiences. Electronic Journal for Inclusive Education, 7(2). http://www.cehs.wright.edu/resources/publications/ejie/WinterSpring2011/JIE%20MVIP.htm

Margaryan, Anoush, Littlejohn, Allison, & Vojt, Gabrielle. (2011). Are digial natives a myth or reality? University students' use of digital technologies. Computers & Education, 56(2), 429-440. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.09.004

Marino, Matthew T., & Beecher, Constance C. (2010). Conceptualizing RTI in 21st-century secondary science classrooms: Video games' potential to provide tiered support and progress monitoring for students with Learning Disabilities. Learning Disability Quarterly, 33(4), 299-311. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/073194871003300407

Mastropieri, M. A., Scruggs, T. E., Norland, J. J., Berkeely, S., McDuffie, K., Tornquist, E. H., & Connors, N. (2006). Differentiated curriculum enhancement in inlcusive middle school science: Effects on classroom and high-stakes tests. The Journal of Special Education, 40, 130-137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/00224669060400030101

National Science Board. (2006). Scince and engineering indicators 2006 (Vol. 1, NSB06-01; Vol. 2, NSB 06-01A). Arlington, VA: Author.

National Science Foundation. (2000). Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities in science and engineering. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Office of Disability Employment Policy. (2001). Improving the availability of community-based services for people with disabilities. Washington, DC: Author.

Robinson, S. (2002). Teaching high school students with learning and emotional disabilities in inclusion science classrooms: A case study of four teachers' beliefs and practices. Journal of Science Teacher Education, 13, 13-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1015177609052

Salajan, Florin D., Schonwetter, Dieter J., & Cleghorn, Blanie M. (2010). Student and faculty inter-generational digital divide: Fact or fiction? Computers & Education, 55(3), 1393-1403. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2010.06.017

Samsonov, P., Pedersen, S., & Hill, C. (2006). Using problem-based learning software with at-risk students: A case study. Computers in the Schools, 23(1/2), 111-124. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1300/J025v23n01_10

Scruggs, T. E., Mastropieri, M. A., & Okolo, C. (2008). Science and social studies for students with disabilities. Focus on Exceptional Children, 41, 1-25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17161/fec.v41i2.6835

Simpkins, S. D., Davis-Kean, P. E., & Eccles, J. S. (2006). Math and science motivation: A longitudinal examination of the links between choices and beliefs. Developmental Psychology, 42(1), 70-83. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.42.1.70

Sullivan, Peter, Tobias, Steve, & McDonough, Andrea. (2006). Perhaps the decision of some students not to engage in learning mathematics in school is deliberate. Educational Studies in Mathematics, 62(1), 81-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10649-006-1348-8

Tyler-Wood, Tandra, Knezek, Gerald, & Christensen, Rhonda. (2010). Instruments for assessing interest in STEM content and careers. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 18(2), 341-363.

Tyson, Will, Lee, Reginald, Borman, Kathryn M., & Hanson, Mary Ann. (2007). Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pathways: High school science and math coursework and postsecondary degree attainment. Journal of Education for Students Placed At Risk, 12(3), 243-270. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10824660701601266

Waters, John K. (2011). Will the real digial native please stand up? Campus Technology, 25(2), 26-28.

There are 35 references in total.
How to Cite
Davis, K. E. B. (2014). Students with Disabilities’ Perspectives of STEM Content and Careers. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 9(3), 187-199. https://doi.org/10.64546/jaasep.257

Fall 2014

Article Information

  • Article Type Articles
  • Submitted August 18, 2014
  • Published October 15, 2014
  • Issue Fall 2014
  • Section Articles
  • File Downloads 0
  • Abstract Views 1
  • Altmetrics
  • Share
Download data is not yet available.