1. USDE - S.T.E.M.* Focus Groups Thursday, June 5, 2008 SJC Rm 200 Moderator: Carlos Lopez / Transcriber: Rebecca Teague
The following are the results of the self-administered questionnaire that was given to the focus group respondents
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

2. 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

3. Results of questionnaire

4. Focus group demographics:
All 16 participates …
were 1st 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 18-19
3 (19%) age 20-24
1 ( 6%) age 25-29
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%) units
2 (13%)
4 (25%) 19 or more
Worked during school … 7(44%): one - 7 hr/wk, five - 20 hrs/wk, one -35 hr/wk
English 2nd 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

5. Computer Access & Usage:
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

6. 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

7. Recap of Groups

8. Barriers to Education Institutional Barriers - 1st 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

9. 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

10. 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