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A STEM Penalty from Affirmative Action Bans?

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  • David Mickey-Pabello

    (Harvard University
    University of California, Los Angeles)

Abstract

The study investigates a tension between affirmative action scholars who hypothesize that affirmative action bans would increase underrepresented minority students’ STEM college completions and scholars who have empirically estimated declines. It also questions results that that find no existence of a STEM penalty (compared to non-STEM) caused by affirmative action bans and finds that a STEM penalty is likely, but varies from a very modest effect (using the Department of Homeland Security taxonomy) to a more substantial impact (using the National Science Foundation taxonomy). This study finds that many of the tensions between affirmative action scholars studying STEM are likely the product of model specification. It illustrates how the following have impacted the estimates: the period studied, the inclusion and exclusion of certain ban states, the measure of institutional selectivity, and most importantly, the taxonomy of STEM. Furthermore, this study builds upon prior studies by analyzing private schools and the shorter-term and longer-term impacts of the bans.

Suggested Citation

  • David Mickey-Pabello, 2024. "A STEM Penalty from Affirmative Action Bans?," Research in Higher Education, Springer;Association for Institutional Research, vol. 65(1), pages 92-123, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:reihed:v:65:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s11162-023-09739-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11162-023-09739-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter Arcidiacono & Esteban M. Aucejo & V. Joseph Hotz, 2016. "University Differences in the Graduation of Minorities in STEM Fields: Evidence from California," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(3), pages 525-562, March.
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    8. Hill, Andrew J., 2017. "State affirmative action bans and STEM degree completions," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 31-40.
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