Anaya, Lina M.; Zamarro, Gema; Stafford, Frank P.
University Affiliation: University of Arkansas
Email: gzamarro@uark.edu
Research Question:
The authors use longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics to study gender differences in math achievement and self-perceived math ability, how they may differ by parental occupation type, and if math achievement and self-perception influence subsequent decision of majoring in a science field in college.
Published: No
Journal Name or Institutional Affiliation:
Journal Entry:
Year: 2017
Findings:
– All three factors, math achievement, perceived math ability, and parental occupation in a science field, are found to be significant predictors of the probability of majoring in science in college.
– Having a parent working in a science related field is associated with a better performance in math but not necessarily higher levels of perceived math ability, given math performance.
– Most of the observed positive effects of having a parent in a science related occupation seem to be concentrated among females.
– Estimated effects of higher levels of math achievement are about double for boys than for girls. Estimates of perceived math ability are also slightly larger for boys.