title: Postsecondary pathways and persistence for STEM versus non-STEM majors: among college students with an autism spectrum disorder.
abstract: Little is known about postsecondary pathways and persistence among college students with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study analyzed data from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2, 2001-2009, a nationally representative sample of students in special education with an ASD who progressed from high school to postsecondary education. Findings suggest that most college students with an ASD enrolled in a 2-year community college at some point in the postsecondary careers (81%). Those in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields were more likely to persist in a 2-year community college and were twice as likely to transfer from a 2-year community college to a 4-year university than their peers in the non-STEM fields. College persistence rates varied by gender, race, parent education level, and college pathway and major. Educational policy implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center for Education and Human Services, SRI International, 333 Ravenswood Avenue, BS169, Menlo Park, CA, 94025-3493, USA, xin.wei@sri.com.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Elizabeth R A
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Christiano
authors.forename: Jennifer W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blackorby
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Shattuck
authors.forename: Lynn A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000523:psychology*; D004738:Engineering / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics / Q000193:education*; D010379:Peer Group; D012586:Science / Q000193:education*; D013334:Students; D013672:Technology / Q000193:education*; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult