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Reimagining educational equity through strategic alliance partnerships in response to the USA STEM-M diversity gap

Authors :
Marcus J Byrd
Janet Rocha
Clyde W. Yancy
Claudia M. Castillo-Lavergne
Rebecca Miller
Janice K Jackson
Mercedes R. Carnethon
Erica E. Marsh
Maria Lin
Source :
Health Promotion International. 37
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Oxford University Press (OUP), 2021.

Abstract

Summary Addressing the USA diversity gap in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEM-M) through strategic alliance partnerships (SAPs) is an innovative solution toward combating the educational inequalities presented in K-12 education for marginalized youth interested in STEM-M professions. We present a model that unites multiple stakeholder s committed to diversifying the workforce in STEM-M, through the implementation of a multi-year high school pipeline program designed to better achieve STEM-M equity, access and opportunity at the secondary school level. We developed a unique model based on an SAP in a large metropolitan area in the Midwest that joins an Academic Medical Center and a local Public High School. Our results involving 46 students over 8 years demonstrate 100% high school graduation rates; 97% college attendance with full or partial scholarship support, and early evidence of post-graduation aspirations in STEM-M careers. Our early progress calls for more rigorous study against standard educational practices. If our program is proven to be more effective, then potentially more strategic public−private partnerships to foster K-12 pipeline programs to better achieve equity through educational access, opportunities and resources should be developed and targeted for those marginalized youth that have been historically denied STEM-M opportunities. After 10 years of dedicated effort, we see evidence of potential benefits of this SAP to develop K-12 pipeline programs with similar aims of STEM-M diversification, particularly by way of more-equitable provision of educational opportunities to students belonging to minority racial and ethnic groups.

Details

ISSN :
14602245
Volume :
37
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Health Promotion International
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....f71d286a1b2b2e68b6d74abdda6c8d44
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daab094