Moving Beyond Awareness to Action: The Development of Urban Youth’s Critical Consciousness in a Social Justice College Access Program

• In Event: Roundtable Session 79
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Race Talk in Pre-K-12 School Settings

Abstract

This study examined African American and Latino student participants’ experiences in a social justice college access program. In highlighting critical pedagogy and libratory curriculum used in the program, the study reveals that in addition to increasing students’ competitive eligibility for college, there was also an increase in students’ social consciousness and advocacy efforts. As a result of this social justice oriented program, students became 1) more knowledgeable and socially conscious of social injustice 2) agents of change within their own school and communities and 3) more comfortable with the college application process. This study uses qualitative data over the course of five years and student voice to share participants’ experiences in the social justice college access program.

Authors

• Jonli Tunstall, University of California - Los Angeles

• Tyrone C. Howard, University of California - Los Angeles

• Neshemah Keetin, University of California - Los Angeles