Communications of the ACM
Disparity Among First- and Second-Generation Immigrants in STEM Degrees
Hispanic first-and-second generation immigrants lag behind in STEM degrees, compared to their Asian immigrant counterparts.
Credit: AP
Latino and Asian immigrants and their U.S.-born children are studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects at different rates. About 25 percent of first- and second-generation Asian-Americans received degrees in STEM fields, compared to 14 percent of Latinos, according to a recent National Center for Education Statistics report. The two groups also differed from one another on socioeconomic characteristics, including age, low-income status, parents' education levels, and whether English was the primary language spoken at home, the study found. In addition, 25 percent of first- and second-generation Latinos major in humanities, social sciences, and general studies, compared to 21 percent of Asian-Americans. Finally, 46 percent of second-generation Asian-Americans took calculus in high school, compared to 21.5 percent of Latinos.
Foreign students were excluded from the study, because they generally enter STEM fields at higher levels. The study concluded that those who complete advanced courses in high school are more likely to earn a bachelor's degree.
Meanwhile, a recent Census report shows that most degrees in computer, math, statistics, and engineering fields are still going to foreign-born residents, primarily to those from India and China.
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