Advancement Through Research
Persons with disabilities are underrepresented in Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers. This study sought to find out the predictive validity of Mathematics self-efficacy on STEM career inclination among Students With Disabilities (SWD) in technical and inclusive secondary schools in Enugu State, Nigeria. A descriptive quantitative correlation research design was adopted for the study. Three instruments (Demographics Questionnaire, Mathematics self-efficacy Questionnaire and STEM Career Inclination Measures) were used to collect data from 587 students with disabilities in 38 Technical secondary schools and 4 inclusive oriented secondary schools in the area. Data collected for the study were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and multiple regression analysis. Results showed that Mathematics self-efficacy has a positive link with an inclination towards STEM-related careers among SWD. It was concluded that building STEM self-efficacy in students with disabilities could be a productive way of bridging the gap of underrepresentation of persons with disabilities in STEM careers. It was recommended that researchers, career counsellors, science teachers and all stakeholders in disability Education should intensify efforts towards building and strengthening mathematics self-efficacy among students with disabilities in technical and inclusive education secondary schools.
Mathematics self-efficacy, science technology, engineering and mathematics, career inclination, students with disabilities, technical schools, inclusive oriented schools
