"I Had (My Dreams) on Hold, I Had to ...": Latina/o High School Student Dropout Aspirations

• In Event: 14.045 - Roundtable Session 2
  In Roundtable Session: 14.045-2 - Engagement, Experience, and Aspiration

Abstract

Latina/o students remain twice as likely as their white counterparts to drop out of high school. This qualitative study analyzes focus group discussions among 16 Latina/o students to understand social and structural influences on their dropouts from public schools. Using a grounded theory approach, common themes emerged were family motivation and hardships, school loss of hope, and educational aspirations. Ultimately, school systems struggle to support Latina/o students who encounter challenges at home and in school for their success. Despite dropping out from high school, most students have aspirations to catch up, graduate, and continue their education.

Authors

• Bryant G Valencia, The University of Arizona

• Juvenal Caporale, The University of Arizona

• Andrea Romero, University of Arizona