Research Reports
SMASH Impact Report 2016
The SMASH Impact Report 2016 and its Executive Summary provide a yearly in-depth and rigorous evaluation of the Summer Math and Science Honors Academy (SMASH). Findings for 2016 include: 83% SMASH scholars intend to pursue a STEM major in college... Read More
Do Computer Science Exposure Activities Increase Pursuit of Computer Science Higher Education for Underrepresented Groups?
The Kapor Center for Social Impact Tech Inclusion Research Team presented the findings of a study on the longitudinal results of computer science exposure activities during SMASH in a poster session at the Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education... Read More
Computer Science in California’s Public Schools: 2016 AP CS Results and Implications
The Kapor Center for Social Impact and the Alliance for California Computing Education for Students and Schools (ACCESS) released a policy brief detailing disparities in Advanced Placement Computer Science A test taking in California and the nation. Key findings of... Read More
Enhancing Participation in Computer Science among Girls of Color: An Examination of a Preparatory AP Computer Science Intervention
The Kapor Center for Social Impact research team produced a chapter of an IGI Global book slated for publication in 2017: “Moving Students of Color from Consumers to Producers of Technology.” The chapter examines the impact of one 5-week summer... Read More
Broadening Participation in Computer Science: Existing Out-of-School Initiatives and a Case Study
This article, which appeared in the November issue of the Association for Computer Machinery (ACM) publication Inroads, outlines the types of interventions designed to increase equity in Computer Science (CS). SMASH was highlighted as a case study within the CS equity landscape... Read More
Engaging Underrepresented Students in Computer Science
LPFI, the Kapor Center for Social Impact, and colleagues from UC Berkeley and El Camino College presented strategies for engaging underrepresented students of color in Computer Science at the Tapia 2016 Diversity in Computing Conference in Austin, Texas. Strategies discussed... Read More
Examining the Impact of a Culturally Responsive Out-of-School Computer Science Intervention for Underrepresented High School Students
This study, funded generously by the National Science Foundation, outlines the impact of short-term, culturally responsive computer science program for underrepresented youth of color. Chief among its findings are that a culturally responsive pedagogical framework in computer science shows promise... Read More
Influence and Motivation in STEM Among Underrepresented High School Students of Color
Presented at the 2016 American Education Research Association (AERA) Conference in Washington, D.C. (April 8, 2016), this qualitative study examined the differing ways that boys and girls of color in the Summer Math and Science Honors Academy (SMASH) STEM program describe their motivations... Read More
CSTA Voice – Equity in CS: From Exposure to Entrepreneurship
LPFI and colleagues from UC Berkeley’s Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) course, now part of the SMASH Computer Science curriculum, partnered to publish a summary of interventions to engage underrepresented youth of color in Computer Science for the January 2016 issue of Computer... Read More
Computer Science Access for Students of Color: Disparities and Opportunities
This presentation, given to the 2015 California Department of Education STEM Symposium in San Diego, CA (October 29, 2015), explored disparities in Computer Science course access in California high schools with highest proportions of: underrepresented students of color, low-income students,... Read More
Peer Network Effects and Persistence in Pursuit of STEM Higher Education for Underrepresented Groups
Presented at the 2015 National Symposium on Student Retention (November 4, 2015), this poster illuminates the role that gender and ethnic/racial identities play in the formation of peer networks in STEM for underrepresented students of color, with a special investigation... Read More
2015 SMASH Alumni Data Brief
LPFI has distilled responses to the annual SMASH Alumni survey into this two-page data brief. Findings include STEM persistence and achievement outcomes such as: 64% of SMASH alumni who have graduated from college are working in STEM fields; 74% of SMASH... Read More
2015 SMASH Evaluation Report
The Level Playing Field Institute is pleased to present its 2015 SMASH Evaluation Report. This report highlights the impact of the SMASH 2015 program, including outcomes such as: 93% of SMASH students demonstrated an increase in science assessment scores over the... Read More
Measuring Impact – Why It Matters
by Alexis Martin, Ph.D., Director of Research and Evaluation The Level Playing Field Institute relies on rigorous evaluation methods in order to measure the impact of our programs. LPFI’s Research department collects and analyzes data for each of our programs-... Read More
STEM Trends
by Danielle Rose, Director of Programs for the Level Playing Field Institute STEM fields are some of the most exciting areas to work in today. Not only are STEM careers at the cutting edge of discovery and innovation, they are... Read More
Engaging Underrepresented Youth in Computer Science
Researchers, staff and computer science instructors from Level Playing Field Institute, the Kapor Center for Social Impact and the Computer Science Division of the University of California, Berkeley held a panel discussion on increasing access to computer science for underrepresented girls and youth of... Read More
Expanding Opportunities in Computer Science Among Girls of Color: An Examination of an AP Preparatory Computer Science Intervention
This study, presented at the American Educational Research Association annual conference in Chicago (April 16-20, 2015), examined the efficacy of a computer science preparatory intervention on computer science achievement and aspirations of underrepresented girls of color within LPFI’s SMASH program.... Read More
Path Not Found: Disparities in Access to Computer Science Courses in California High Schools – CSTA Golden Gate Chapter presentation
The findings of the “Path Not Found:Disparities in Access to Computer Science Courses in California High Schools” were presented and discussed at the Computer Science Teachers Association Golden Gate chapter meeting (June 28, 2015). The research illuminated the disparities in access to any... Read More
Path Not Found: Disparities in Computer Science Course Access in California High Schools
Given the rising demand for skilled computer science professionals in California, it is vital that the state’s public schools provide all students with a solid foundation in computer science coursework. However, California’s school system is failing to prepare its students—particularly... Read More
2014 SMASH Evaluation Report
The Summer Math and Science Academy (SMASH) 2014 Evaluation Report was designed and implemented by the LPFI Research Team to: (1) Examine the goals, objectives, and activities of the SMASH program and construct measures to assess impact in each critical... Read More
Perceived Barriers to Higher Education in STEM
This article was published in the Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering. Abstract: The underrepresentation of people of color in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has become an increasing concern nationwide, with efforts... Read More
Diversity Data Shows Need to Focus on Women of Color
The floodgates holding back the tech industry’s dismal diversity data are now wide open. First Google, then LinkedIn and Yahoo, and now Facebook have soaked Silicon Valley watchers with what many of us already assumed: the tech community is mostly... Read More
Gender and Racial Stereotype Endorsement: Examining the Impact on STEM Outcomes
This research study was presented at the Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention (May 22-25, 2014) in San Francisco. The research has implications for further understanding the presence and impact of psychological barriers to pursuit and persistence in STEM fields... Read More
Perceived Barriers and Endorsement of Stereotypes Among Adolescent Girls of Color in STEM
This presentation took place at the Alliance for Girls 2014 Annual Conference in San Francisco (May 28, 2014). The research explored data on the underrepresentation of girls of color in STEM, and findings relating to the perception of barriers to... Read More
Examining the Effectiveness of a STEM-focused Intervention Program
This study, presented at the American Educational Research Association annual conference in Philadelphia (April 3-7,2014), examined the efficacy of an intervention program designed to increase the preparation of African-American adolescent males in STEM. The study addressed the following research questions:... Read More
Rigor, Role Models, and Relevance: Examining the Impact of a Culturally Relevant STEM Intervention Program for Underrepresented High School Students of Color
This study, presented at the American Educational Research Association annual conference in Philadelphia (April 3-7,2014), examined the effectiveness of a secondary level STEM intervention program; specifically, the impact this program has on student outcomes, and whether this program alleviates structural... Read More
SMASH 2013 Evaluation Report
The Summer Math and Science Academy (SMASH) 2013 Evaluation Report was designed and implemented by the LPFI Research Team to: Examine the goals, objectives, and activities of the SMASH program and construct measures to assess impact in each critical area.... Read More
Level Playing Field Institute: Improving STEM Outcomes for Students of Color in California
This study, which was presented at the 1st Annual California Department of Education STEM Symposium in Sacramento, CA (November 18-19, 2013), described the disparities facing students of color in K-12 STEM education, examined the impact of two out-of-school STEM intervention... Read More
The Impact of College Success Courses for Low-Income, First-Generation, Students of Color to Promote the Pursuit of STEM in Higher Education
LPFI’s research team presented on the outcomes of SMASH College Success courses to eliminate barriers to entrance, retention, and success in STEM fields in higher education at the National Symposium for Student Retention Conference in San Diego, CA (November 4-6,... Read More
SMASH 2012 Evaluation Report
The Summer Math and Science Academy (SMASH) 2012 Evaluation Report was designed and implemented by the LPFI Research Team to: Examine the goals, objectives, and activities of the SMASH program and construct measures to assess impact in each critical area.... Read More
Bridging the K-12 and Higher Education Gap for Underrepresented Students of Color in STEM (Infographic)
LPFI’s research team presented a research-based intervention framework to bridge the gap between K-12 and higher education and improve STEM outcomes among underrepresented students at the National Symposium for Student Retention Conference in New Orleans, LA (October 28-31, 2012). This... Read More
Engaging Underrepresented Students in Computer Science: A Study
LPFI’s research team presented results from a pilot study examining computer science outcomes among students within the SMASH Academy at the Frontiers in Education: Computer Science and Computer Engineering conference in Las Vegas, NV July 22-25, 2013. The presentation entitled,... Read More
Gender and Racial Stereotype Endorsement and Implications for STEM Outcomes Among High-Achieving Underrepresented Adolescent Females
This study utilized 75 female high-achieving high school students participating in a STEM intervention program to examine the extent to which students endorse negative racial and gender stereotypes about ability in STEM fields and the impact that endorsing negative stereotypes... Read More
Success and Failure in 8th Grade Mathematics: Examining Outcomes among Middle Schoolers in the HSLS:09
This collaborative research project by Keith Howard (Chapman University), Martin Romero (UCLA) and Allison Scott (LPFI) examined mathematics outcomes among students in the base year of the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009. The HSLS:09 is a nationally representative longitudinal... Read More
Perceived Barriers to Higher Education in STEM among High-Achieving Underrepresented High School Students of Color
This study, presented at the American Educational Research Association annual conference in San Francisco (April 27-31, 2013), examined perceptions of internal and external barriers to higher education in STEM, perceptions of barriers by race and gender, and the relationship between... Read More
Dissecting the Data 2012: Examining STEM Opportunities and Outcomes for Underrepresented Students in California
The Dissecting the Data 2012 report reveals that pervasive opportunity and achievement gaps across all levels of schooling negatively impact the chances for underrepresented students of color to achieve success in STEM education and to pursue higher education degrees and careers in... Read More
The Tilted Playing Field: Hidden Bias in Information Technology Workplaces
The Tilted Playing Field: Hidden Bias in Information Technology Workplaces report was released September 2011. The report reveals that hidden biases within the workplace can produce unequal opportunities and outcomes for employees depending on their race and gender. This study reports... Read More
Diversity in Non-Profit Organizations Research Study
The Voice of Nonprofit Talent: Perceptions of Diversity in the Workplace is the culmination of a nationwide survey of over 1,600 nonprofit professionals and was produced in partnership with Commongood Careers and released April 12, 2011. The report reveals that perceptions of diversity... Read More
Race, Age and Gender in the Workplace
Level Playing Field Institute’s Race, Age and Gender in the Workplace Survey shows that conversations about race, age and gender increased since the historic 2008 presidential primaries irrespective of whether they are discouraged by company policy. Read about the impact of these... Read More
Corporate Leavers Survey
The Corporate Leavers Survey, a groundbreaking study conducted by the Level Playing Field Institute in January 2007, shows that each year in this country, more than 2 million professionals and managers in today’s increasingly diverse workforce leave their jobs, pushed out... Read More
HOW-FAIR Study
The Level Playing Field Institute in collaboration with the Center for Survey Research at the University of Connecticut, conducted the How Opportunities in Workplaces and Fairness Affect Intergroup Relations (HOW-FAIR) Survey.Four hundred employers and 2435 employees from across the nation... Read More