What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to explore how advanced high school coursework influences women in community colleges pursuing computing degrees.

March 13, 2026

Does Advanced High School Coursework Enhance Community College Women's Pathways to Computing Degrees? Evidence from Florida

Key Points

The study aims to explore how advanced high school coursework influences women in community colleges pursuing computing degrees.
Used Florida administrative data to analyze academic pathways
Examined the role of gender in the context of advanced STEM coursework
Focused on the impact of computing and mathematics courses
Advanced mathematics and computing courses increase community college women's selection of STEM majors
Completion of these courses significantly boosts their chances of attaining computing degrees
Patterns differ by gender, indicating targeted interventions may be needed

Abstract

Abstract: Women remain problematically underrepresented in computing fields. Guided by the STEM momentum framework, we leverage Florida administrative data to investigate the relationship between community college students' gender, advanced high school STEM coursework, and their pathways to postsecondary degrees. We find that advanced high school coursework functions differently by gender and STEM field. Notably, completing computing courses and advanced mathematics courses especially promotes community college women's selection of STEM majors and completion of computing degrees. Implications for advanced high school course offerings are discussed with respect to research and policy, especially with respect to enhancing opportunities for community college students.

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