The Relationship Between Educational Expectation Trajectories and Bachelor's Degree Completion

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 74
  In Roundtable Session: Post-College and Outcomes Assessment

Abstract

This article examines how adolescents’ educational expectation trajectories impact their bachelor’s degree completion and whether college-based activities mediate the relationship. The sample was drawn from the Educational Longitudinal Study of 2002 in this study. The findings are 1) Longstanding high level of educational expectation is the most predictive determinant among all types of educational expectation trajectories. 2) One’s educational expectation trajectories operate through influencing their college related activities which affect bachelor’s degree completion. Consistent and high level of educational expectation helps explain one’s success in earning a bachelor’s degree.

Author

• Dongwei Wang, University at Buffalo - SUNY