USDE - S.T.E.M.* Focus Groups Thursday, June 5, 2008 SJC Rm 200 Moderator: Carlos Lopez / Transcriber: Rebecca Teague The following is a summary of a focus group & self-administered questionnaire from Hispanic students Source: U.S. Dept. of ED.- College Reduction & Access Act –- Focus Group–SJC Rm200 – MJSC R&P Dept. –XCJH 9/23/08 *S.T.E.M. = Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Background A focus group was conducted to gain insight into the education learning experience of Hispanic students. Eligible applicants of the U.S. Dept. Of Education grant were targeted and chosen as participants. Prior to the focus group, respondents were given a short (3-5 minute) self- administered questionnaire. The objective of the focus group was to explore the participants barriers to entering college as it relates to their: Hispanic Culture Socioeconomic status Technological experience and access to computers Understanding of S.T.E.M. courses & related job careers

Results of questionnaire

Focus group demographics : All 16 participates … were 1 st generation college spoke English at home 11 of 16 involved in Upward Bound Gender … 12 female (75%) and 4 males (25%) Age … 8 (50%) age yrs 4 (25%) age (19%) age ( 6%) age ED level, currently attending… 9 (56%) high school and 7 (44%) college High school level …6 sophomores, 2 juniors, 1 senior Number of college units completed * … 3 (19%) 1-12 units 2 (13%) (25%) 19 or more Worked during school … 7(44%): one - 7 hr/wk, five - 20 hrs/wk, one -35 hr/wk English 2 nd language … 10 (63%) * Two H.S. students had completed college courses Source: CCRAA Focus Group Questionnaire – 6/5/08 SJC Rm200 – MJSC R&P Dept. –XCJH 6/10/08

All have access to a computer (Q1&2): Home … 14/16 = 88% Another location other than school …13/16 = 81% Home or location other than school …16/16 = 100% Computer frequency of usage is polarized to either daily usage (50%) or less than once/wk (50%) (Q3): 8 (50%) use everyday 6 (37.5) less than once/wk one 2-3 times/wk and 1- never Nearly all participants use computers for schoolwork and (Q4): Schoolwork …15/16 = 94% …13/16 = 81% Play games … 5/16 Job/work … 4/16 Paid bills …3/16 Source: CCRAA Focus Group Questionnaire – 6/5/08 SJC Rm200 – MJSC R&P Dept. –XCJH 6/10/08 Computer Access & Usage:

Over half of the participants have used the computer to access MySpace, copy/paste text and videos (Q5): MySpace … 12/16 = 75% Copy and paste text …11/16 = 69% Videos … 9/16 = 56% Make Power Point slides… 8/16 Use Blackboard … 7/16 Few participants use the computer for the ‘mainstream high tech’ activities, such as, iPoding 6/16, blogging 1/16, Facebook 1/16 pod casting 0/16 (Q5). Two-thirds, 10 of 16 (63%) rate themselves as ‘very high’ or ‘high’ in terms of skill level using a computer for homework/class assignments. About third (5/16 = 31%) rate themselves as average or below, average 3/16, low 1/16 and very low 1/16 (Q6). Low usage of ‘clicker’, only 2 of 16 ever used a ‘clicker’ in the classroom (Q7). Source: CCRAA Focus Group Questionnaire – 6/5/08 SJC Rm200 – MJSC R&P Dept. –XCJH 6/10/08 Computer Access & Usage:

Recap of Groups

Barriers to Education Institutional Barriers - 1 st Gen … 11 of 16 - I was lost / where to go / how to buy books - Unaware of online sources to cut cost – books online / rate-my-professor Cultural Barriers (6 of 16) - Did not know about SAT - Language barriers / limited English / wasn’t taught properly in H.S. - Father did not want kids to go to college - 2 of 16 had help at home for math Socio Economic / Financial Barriers (14 of 16) - Lack of parent support to attend college / wants kids to work - Parents’ fear of cost of college / father sharing tax returns with kids - Citizenship issues to qualify for financial aid - Transportation, major barrier (11 of 16) Source: CCRAA Focus Group Questionnaire – 6/5/08 SJC Rm200 – MJSC R&P Dept. –XCJH 9/22/08

Knowledge of S.T.E.M. Fields -Students know the STEM fields … but appeared to have limited knowledge of what a specific job entailed ( for example : When participants were asked if they knew what a civil engineer does or what it means to be a physicist, most if not all were unable to respond ) -10 out of 16 stated that they wanted to study in a STEM field (unaided) -Field of interest … medical, engineering, education, business, science/math and forensic science -Barriers to STEM field … Time / education / too much math / preparation in middle school & H.S. 14 of 16 said a class / instructor / other factors (tutor not supportive, bad H.S. math instructor) Source: CCRAA Focus Group Questionnaire – 6/5/08 SJC Rm200 – MJSC R&P Dept. –XCJH 9/22/08

Student Suggestions Find a good role model ( Alma Ramirez, Roy Mason, Jason Hlebakos) Use tutoring program ( 16 of 16) Be passionate about learning Attitude was very important (15 of 16) Mentors at school Summer Bridge Provide networking opportunities Involve parents – bring them to campus /convince them of benefits of college / have them meet graduates Get involved with Upward Bound Project – made the difference Source: CCRAA Focus Group Questionnaire – 6/5/08 SJC Rm200 – MJSC R&P Dept. –XCJH 9/22/08