English Learners' High School Academic Preparation, Community College Enrollment, and Eventual Bachelor's Degree Attainment

• In Event: Understanding Educational Aspirations and Degree Attainment Among Community College Students

Abstract

English learners (ELs) who want to go to college are often encouraged to consider community colleges over four-year colleges. Teachers and counselors advise them, “Go to a community college first. You can always transfer later.” However, we currently have little information on community college EL students’ persistence and degree attainment. Analyzing the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002, we examine the impact of community college enrollment in conjunction with high school academic preparation on ELs’ degree attainment. Findings show that only 16% of community college ELs go on to attain bachelor’s degrees. Both low academic preparation in high school and community college enrollment are risk factors for bachelor’s degree attainment, a pattern that holds true for ELs and native speakers alike.

Authors

• Yasuko Kanno, Temple University

• Jennifer G. Cromley, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign