Holding On by a Thread: High-Achieving Latinas in an Urban School District

• In Event: 33.020 - Gender, Ethnicity, and Schooling

Abstract

This mixed methods study involves approximately 300 Latinas from ten high schools in the LAUSD, and addresses factors influencing successful Latinas, through 1) An identification of current theories regarding the possible factors that contribute to the academic success of Latina high school students; 2) An identification of the types of influential factors that stem from relationships with communities, family members and schools that help Latina teens graduate from high school and apply to college; 3) A determination of the individual characteristics that correlate with high school graduation and college enrollment. Findings indicate that mothers and peers play an influential role in the decisions regarding college and career.

Authors

• Monica G. Garcia, California State University - Northridge

• Corinne Martinez, California State University - Long Beach