COVID and Education: Parent and Students' Reflections

• In Event: The Inequitable Impact of COVID-19 on Education: A Crisis or an Opportunity?

Abstract

Prior to the pandemic approximately 69 percent of high school graduates enrolled in college the Fall immediately following high school graduation, totaling approximately 2.2 million students (Hussar et al., 2020). Although high school graduation rates remained steady for the class of 2019-2020, direct high school to college enrollment fell 6.8% percent (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 2020). The disproportionate impact of COVID19 in communities of color revealed what many educators already knew – educational opportunity is interwoven with wealth and privilege (Hines et al., in press). Disparities in access led to a 10.7 percent college enrollment decrease for students attending low-income high schools, compared to 4.6 percent for students enrolled in higher income schools and enrollment for students transitioning from high poverty schools fell by 11.4 percent versus 2.9 percent for low-poverty schools (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 2020). . These dramatic losses may be even greater for the high school class of 2021 (Goldman & Korn, 2020; Hines et al., 2021; Watson & Pananjady, 2020).
Methods, techniques, or modes of inquiry
Approximately 2500 high school seniors took a survey to understand how the pandemic had impacted their postsecondary decision. This survey will be administered again Fall 2021 and data will be shared at AERA. Interviews and focus groups are being conducted with recent graduates and families to further put the survey data into context, including socio-cultural awareness, familial expectations, financial pressures, and the K-12 response for real world postsecondary advising.
Data sources, evidence, objects, or materials
In May 2021, a random sample (n=75,000) of high school students who took the ACT® test in their senior year were asked to patriciate in an online survey. A total of 2438 students graduated from high school in 2021, aspired to enroll in a postsecondary institution in the 2021–2022 school year, and answered more than 50% of the questions, which was used as their analytical sample. Additionally, 100 surveys were collected from one high school in southern California. The survey was built on the work of McKinsey, Strada, New America, and Third Way, who have been conducting surveys throughout the pandemic to understand changing attitudes and patterns of college enrollment. The survey will be released nationally Fall 2021.
Results and/or substantiated conclusions or warrants for arguments/point of view
Preliminary findings have initiated a dialogue that allows for a greater understanding of several contextual factors of the pandemics impact on postsecondary planning. The researchers are currently conducting interviews and focus groups with recent graduates and families to further put the survey data into context, including socio-cultural awareness, familial expectations, financial pressures, and the K-12 response for real world postsecondary advising.
Scientific or scholarly significance of the study or work
While we have a general understanding of why students are not enrolling, we seek a deeper understanding of regional differences and the unique needs of students and their communities. The authors of this research are continuing with more in-depth data analyses in efforts to draw evidence-based conclusions.

Authors

• Laura Owen, San Diego State University

• Raeal Moore, Evaluation Data Solutions, LLC

• Kimberly Hanauer

• Tricia Hodge, San Diego State University

• Joyce Zhou-Yile Schnieders, ACT, Inc.