Increasing Persistence in Undergraduate Science Majors: A Model for Institutional Support of Underrepresented Students

  1. Results indicate that PEERS students, on average, earned higher grades in most “gatekeeper” chemistry and math courses, had a higher cumulative grade point average, completed more science courses, and persisted in a science major at significantly higher rates than the comparison group.
  2. Longitudinal comparison of students in the UCLA PEERS program shows that being a member of PEERS had a significant positive impact on multiple measures of academic success.
  3. PEERS students, on average, earned higher grades than non-PEERS students in the foundational introductory math and science courses that form the core science curriculum at UCLA- the gatekeeper courses that frequently pose an academic barrier to incoming science students.
  4. For PEERS students, improved performance in their science courses translated to higher first- and second-year GPAs and higher enrollments on average in science courses during the first 2 years, as compared with members of the three different control groups. In addition, 90% of PEERS students persisted in science majors during their first 2 year, a rate significantly higher than those of the control groups.
  5. The high SAT math control group represents those members of the control group with the best academic preparation, as measured by SAT math score. Yet PEERS students outperformed this group on numerous measures. Not only did PEERS students earn grades in their math courses that were comparable to those of well-prepared high SAT math control students, PEERS students outperformed this group in a number of chemistry courses, had significantly higher cumulative GPAs, took more science courses, and left STEM majors at a rate that was 50% lower.
  6. PEERS students outperformed the full control group and high SAT math control group in every comparison, ranging from individual courses to cumulative GPA, number of science courses, and persistence in science majors.
  7. With its holistic approach focused on academics, counseling, creating a supportive community, and exposure to research, the PEERS program serves as an excellent model for universities interested in and committed to improving persistence of underrepresented science majors and closing the achievement gap.