The Curious Role of Teachers in College Guidance

• In Event: Understanding Critical Sources of College Counseling and Guidance

Abstract

Teachers’ primary responsibility is the academic skill development of students. However, in this study, high school students reported that they were more likely to reach out to teachers for college guidance than any other adults at their schools. Thus teachers are uniquely positioned as "institutional agents" for students interested in college (Stanton-Salazar, 1997), but often lack the training and time to confidently provide college guidance. In this mixed-methods study, authors analyze survey data from students and teachers and interviews of administrators and college counselors to investigate factors that increase likelihood that teachers are willing and able to support students in navigating college going processes.

Authors

• Suneal H. Kolluri, University of California - Riverside

• Neil Garrett Jacobson, University of Southern California

• Tattiya Maruco, University of Southern California

• Zoe Corwin, University of Southern California