Something to Talk About: Spurring College Conversations Among Rural Students, Schools, and Families

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: College Access and Rural Students

Abstract

While rural students are more likely than their urban and suburban counterparts to complete their high school diploma, they are less likely to enroll in college. This is in part due to exposure to college conversations and social capital, differential access to social networks including individuals with college degrees. In this study I investigate whether there is a difference in the college conversations among ninth graders and their parents, friends, teachers, and school counselors by rurality. To do so I use the High School Longitudinal Survey of 2009 (HSLS:2009). Overall, I find that that there are very few school teachers and counselors having conversations about college with ninth graders. Implications for practice will be discussed.

Author

• Crystal Renee Chambers, East Carolina University