Understanding Latina/o High School Students' School Engagement, Academic Self-Perception, and Anticipated High School Extracurricular Engagement and Their Degree Aspirations

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: Division H Poster Session: Assessment in Schools

Abstract

This study examined Latina/o high school students’ academic and community engagement and attendance patterns in in the tenth grade. A rich portrait of 672 high school students enrolled in a six-year GEAR UP college access program is provided using descriptive statistics. Students’ beliefs and knowledge about college and SES are provided. Results of an exploratory factor analyses are provided that offer conceptualizations of Latina/o students’ attitudes towards and behaviors in school settings. Factors that include attendance, pluralistic orientation, orientation towards helping others, and intellectual self-confidence were regressed on to degree aspirations. Implications for GEAR UP and other college access programs are presented, as well as recommendations for secondary school counselors and post-secondary outreach professionals.

Authors

• Angela M. Locks, California State University - Long Beach

• Dawn R. Person, California State University - Fullerton

• Robert Dawson, California State University - Fullerton

• Amy B. Jennings, California State University - Long Beach

• Rosean Moreno, El Camino College