L’importance du rendement, du soutien des adultes, des attentes de réussite et de la valeur accordée aux mathématiques dans les choix de filières de formation préuniversitaire des étudiantes issues des séquences de mathématiques enrichies

This study focuses on the choice of training options for girls compared to boys choice. The presence of girls in training courses in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is less important than that of boys. This is documented in most industrialized countries (OECD, 2013). Policymakers are concerned about the under-representation of girls and women in these areas and are working to understand the phenomenon in order to take action to change the situation (Drouin et al., 2008; MCCCF, 2011). However, the influencing factors to explain this difference between boys and girls are numerous and are not the subject of a consensus in the literature (Ceci et al., 2009). However, many agree that the mathematics major in STEM’s training profiles, and how girls perceive it might explain, in part, their choices (Rowan-Kenyon et al., 2012 and Wang et al ., 2013). These authors also suggested that, for girls, the social context and beliefs about mathematics would be decisive in the choice process involving the discipline. A socio-cognitive theoretical model, inspired by the work of Lent et al, (1994-2006), explaining the process of educational and occupational choices could help conceptualize the relationship between socio-motivational determinants in the field of mathematics. The main objective of this study was to better document the role of mathematics in the process of choice making leading to careers in STEM. Specifically, we examined the predictive value of mathematics performance, students' perception about the support of the social context (parents and teachers), their expectations of success and the value of mathematics (self-efficacy, perceived usefulness, interest and anxiety) on the choice of general education field after high school (social sciences/humanities with and without mathematics, health sciences and pure sciences). A comparison between girls and boys was made. To reach our goal, 1129 graduating students were questioned about their motivation in mathematics and their post-secondary education intentions. Thereafter, a comparison of the 583 girls and 543 boys was performed by multinomial logistic regression analyzes. The results show that several determinants can both compare and differentiate the choice of training options for girls and boys. First, it seems that for most students, boys and girls, high performance in mathematics and important support from teachers as perceived by the students at the end of high school is more related to the choice of pure science field and health sciences than humanities. However, the support of parents seemed to be more relevant for girls, than for boys, who choose the health sciences. Surprisingly, teacher support as perceived seems to be more relevant for boys than for girls who choose humanities. Also, a low sense of mathematical competence is associated with the choice of humanities courses, while a strong mathematics anxiety in girls is associated with health sciences sectors. For boys, it's greater interest in mathematics which is critical to choose the pure sciences field. The perception of the usefulness of mathematics is crucial for both boys and girls who choose science field leading them to careers in STEM. In sum, our results suggest that support in mathematics from the significant adults, as perceived by students, is less dominant than expectations of success (self-efficacy and anxiety) and the value placed on mathematics (interest and utility perceived) to compare boys and girls in their choice of field. In the light of the results obtained, we believe that the implementation of measures in schools to strengthen the self-efficacy of girls in mathematics and especially to reduce their anxiety levels in this area would be a promising way to achieve parity between boys and girls in STEM fields.

Keyphrases: Parental support, Support from teachers, Mathematics' interest, Perception of utility, Self-efficacy in mathematics, Math anxiety, Choice of training pathway, Distinction by gender