An historical analysis of predisposing and facilitating factors related to historically black colleges' and universities' participation levels in Federally-sponsored science and technology programs.

摘要

This study examines and evaluates the effectiveness of the Federal Government's commitment to provide increased support to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the academic areas of science and engineering technology programs. It focuses on the implementation and results of Executive Order 12320, signed on September 15, 1981, by President Ronald Reagan, which mandates Federal Government Agencies and Departments to eliminate known barriers to HBCU participation in areas of research and development.;The study considers the influences of the Federal Government's impact and historical relationships with HBCUs for the period 1981-1988. Additionally, it examines the level of efforts made to eliminate the underrepresentation of minorities in science and technology programs.;Data evaluated for the study was acquired from Federal Government Agencies and Departments, HBCUs, private sector businesses and corporations, organizations, and other sources. It was analyzed to determine levels of science and non-science funding support for HBCUs and served as the historical framework for the study. The primary institutional sources of information and data collection for this study were from a number of HBCUs selected based upon identified and stated factors which contributed to various participation levels in Federally-sponsored science and technology programs. The target population was the universe of the HBCUs (two-year, four-year, and graduate level institutions), with the sample population chosen to represent all HBCUs on the basis of levels of participation in research and development, science and technology programs. Archival data was collected from major Federal reports, supplemented by personal interviews with educational experts and institutional officials.;Several important factors emerged from this study. Foremost, the data suggest that HBCUs which received the greatest amount of Federal funding and support in the science areas were more likely to receive the greatest amount of funding in non-science academic areas. The findings also suggest that Federal Government support in the non-science academic science engineering programs served as factors which enhance the potential and competitiveness of HBCUs.;Regarding the successfulness and effectiveness of the Federal Government and private sector commitment to HBCUs, there have been extensive efforts to support active participation of HBCUs in science and non-science programs.