College Aspirations and College Knowledge: Students’ Preparation for Postsecondary Aspirations

• In Event: Longitudinal Data Systems and Tracking Academic and Nonacademic Outcomes

Abstract

This study analyzed the relationship between eleventh and twelfth grade students’ postsecondary aspirations and their preparation for achieving those aspirations in a sample of 8106 high school students. Eleventh and twelfth grade student responses to items on a survey measuring the Four-part Model of College and Career Readiness were analyzed to determine which items predict aspirations to attend four year college, work, and which items predicted students responded that they did not know their plans to work after high school. Findings indicate that the skills and strategies related to college readiness do predict aspirations for after high school, particularly for twelfth grade students.

Authors

• Elizabeth M. Gilkey, University of Oregon

• Mary Seburn, Educational Policy Improvement Center

• David T. Conley, University of Oregon