A Pilot Study of a Career and College Readiness Curriculum Intervention for Underserved Adolescents

• In Event: Research on STEM and Career/College Topics

Abstract

The purpose of our study is to evaluate a pilot intervention of a semester-length college and career readiness curriculum known as Paths to the Future for All (P2F4A). P2F4A targets underserved adolescents in grades 9-12 who are often overlooked in mainstream college and career readiness planning efforts, including youth experiencing challenging academic and life circumstances that increases their likelihood of school disengagement. Our quantitative analyses show that P2F4A was significantly associated with positive changes in students’ communication and problem solving skills as well as their self-efficacy. Further, through in-depth interviews and focus groups, we found that the P2F4A curriculum helped students open up new communication modes and build relationships, both inside and outside the classroom.

Authors

• Kevin A. Gee, University of California - Davis

• Lauren Lindstrom, University of California Davis

• Carolynne Beno, University of California - Davis

• John Lind, University of Oregon

• Cindy Post