"Going Public": Voices of Early College Academy Students in an Urban District

• In Event: Roundtable Session 35
  In Roundtable Session: Urban Learning, Teaching, and Research SIG Roundtable 1

Abstract

This narrative inquiry utilized questionnaires and interviews to explore the experiences of urban secondary students who participated in an early college program at a metropolitan community college. The goal of the study was to identify successful practices for students that enhance their attainment of higher education while still in high school. Students left their high schools and matriculated entirely on the college campus. All students rated the program as positive or extremely positive. Qualitative data indicated students received help transitioning to the college environment from a college coordinator housed at the community college and wanted some instructors to be more patient with high school students. Going public with their stories enabled urban students to give advice to other students.

Authors

• Loyce E. Caruthers, The University of Missouri-Kansas City

• Jennifer Ingrid Friend, University of Missouri - Kansas City

• Bradley Poos, Avila College

• Joseph Seabrooks, Penn Valley Community College