DECODING THE FEMALE EXODUS FROM COMPUTING EDUCATION

Abstract

This study uses primary empirical data to better understand women's reasons for leaving undergraduate computer science and computer engineering education programs. It draws on social control theory to integrate student perspectives with structural considerations, demonstrating how secondhand knowledge of comparatively infrequent negative experiences achieves substantial immediacy and veracity among women students en masse, thereby contributing to increased attrition.

Keywords:

• Attrition
• computer science education
• minority-serving institution
• social control theory
• retention

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (0305898). I would like to thank Joel Young for his assistance on the paper, Deepak Kapur for providing computer science perspective, and all students who gave their valuable time.