Dropping In, Not Out: Immigrant Second-Chance Learners in Postsecondary Pathways

• In Event: Politics and Praxis of Immigrant Education

Abstract

More than a 20% of U.S youth are immigrants, projected to reach more than 30% by 2030. Nearly half of the total foreign-born population (18 of 41 million) arrived in the U.S. as young adults, many with incomplete secondary education. This mixed methods study examines pathways of Latino immigrant “status dropouts” enrolled in second chance educational options. By examining their educational goals, experiences, and factors that impact their progress, this study adds insights to extant drop-out discourse, raising questions about the impact of local and federal education policies on educational access for immigrant youth. By highlighting institutional barriers to immigrant high school access and completion, this study adds to the national conversation about post-secondary pathways for under-served youth.

Author

• Marguerite Lukes, City University of New York