Achieving Equity for Latino Students
This book provides a critical discussion of the role that select K–12 educational policies have and continue to play in failing Latino students.
Contreras, Ph.D. / August 2011
Identifying as a “science person” is predictive of science success, but the mechanisms involved are not well-understood. The authors hypothesized that science identity predicts success because it fosters a sense of belonging in science classrooms. Thus, science identity should be particularly important for first-generation and racial-minority students, who may harbor doubts about belonging in science. Two field studies in college Introductory Biology classes supported these hypotheses. A strong science identity predicted higher grades, particularly for minority students. Also consistent with hypotheses, Study 2 found that self-reported belonging in college mediated the relationship between science identity and performance. Furthermore, a social belonging manipulation eliminated the relationship between science identity and performance among minority students. These results support the idea that a strong science identity is particularly beneficial for minority students because it bolsters belonging in science courses.
