SUPPORTING MINORITY MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT: THE EMERGING SCHOLARS PROGRAM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN

Abstract

The goal of the Emerging Scholars Program (ESP) at the University of Texas at Austin is to increase the number of freshmen excelling in calculus who come from groups historically underrepresented in mathematics-based disciplines, specifically women, Latinos, African Americans, and students from rural areas. However, the program has always been multiethnic and is open to any interested student, regardless of gender, race, or ethnic group. The ESP is designed to reduce or eliminate the effects of students' background, including race, ethnicity, and gender, on their calculus performance. Results from this study show that students who participate in the ESP have higher odds of earning a grade (A or B) that indicates that they are prepared to continue on to 2nd-semester calculus. In a period of changing affirmative action policy and practice, the findings of this study have significant implications. Our research demonstrates that it is possible to create a diverse setting within an academic context where all participants—majority and minority—appear to benefit.