Air Force Academy: Gender and Racial Disparities : Report to the Chairman, Committee on Armed Services, U.S. SenateThis study evaluated the situation of women and minorities at the Air Force Academy addressing differences in performance indicators, cadets' perceptions, and Academy actions to enhance the success of women and minorities. Performance indicators for male and female cadets showed mixed results. Minority cadets had comparable physical fitness scores, lower academic admissions scores, lower academic grade point averages, and lower military performance averages than white cadets. Minorities were also subjected to more academic and honor reviews than whites. Minority cadets had higher attrition rates. A survey of cadets revealed perceptions that women and minorities generally received treatment equal to that of men and whites. However, a higher percentage of men than women perceived that women were treated better, and a slightly higher percentage of women than men perceived that they were treated worse. The study concluded that, although the Academy has taken a number of steps that should help women and minorities succeed at the Academy, it does not have a consolidated data base to analyze changes in student performance indicators and has not established criteria for determining when performance differences are significant. (Appendixes contain the Academy's review systems, methodology information, analysis of data, and list of contributors to the report.) (Author/JB) |
Common terms and phrases
12 indicators academic admissions scores academic grade point academic performance Academic Review Committee academic review system Academy Board Academy has taken Academy Indicators Reveal Academy Is Addressing Academy officials Academy records actions Addressing Issues Involving Air Force Academy Air Officers Commanding analysis of Academy assess Basic Cadet Training Cadet Wing class standings classes of 1988 cumulative military performance differences were significant disenrollment entrance predictor composite female cadets GAO analysis gender comparisons grade point averages graduating classes Hispanics honor code honor offense Indicators Reveal Gender Indicators Reveal Racial Issues Involving Women male cadets military performance averages military performance grades Minorities Majority minority and white Monitoring Cadets percentage Performance Are Needed performance indicators physical fitness scores predictor composite scores qualification rates questionnaire recommendations regression analysis response Reveal Gender Disparities Reveal Racial Disparities sampling error semester senior statistical significance top 15 percent white cadets Whites and Minorities Whites Minorities women and minorities
Popular passages
Page 10 - American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian or Pacific Islander, black, or Hispanic, based on data in the 1993-94 Common Core of Data (CCD) file.
Page 52 - ... recommending significant human relations initiatives. This included a recommendation to establish an Office of Character Development to serve as the focal point for developing a master plan for cadet character development. The GAO recommended that the Superintendent: - Develop a relational database capability allowing routine analysis of key performance indicators; - Establish criteria for assessing when disparities warrant more in-depth attention and corrective action; and - Prepare (1) a plan...
Page 49 - However, the existence of sexist and racist behaviors (eg, jokes and racially derogatory remarks) if left unchecked could eventually detract from the Academy's mission.
Page 12 - Other nomination categories include (1) the children of deceased or disabled veterans or career military personnel and (2) enlisted members of the regular Air Force, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard. Academic Admissions Scores The Academy uses a rating system to determine applicants
Page 14 - They also participate in Operation Air Force, a 3-week worldwide program at an operational Air Force base, to observe and gain a better understanding of the duties of officers and enlisted personnel.
Page 5 - ... treatment of women and minorities. In 1992, the Academy's Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership administered to 3,900 of the Wing's 4,400 cadets a survey of attitudes and behaviors toward sexual harassment and racial discrimination.
Page 5 - Finally, on May 20, 1993, the Academy's Ad Hoc Committee on Respect and Dignity issued a report recommending major human relations initiatives. Nevertheless, the Academy has no consolidated data base with which to systematically track cadets' performance while at the Academy.