The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Rural Grade 12 Students' College-Going Attitudes and Behaviors

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session Six
  In Roundtable Session: COVID-19 Reactions and Responses in Rural Schools (Table 7)

Abstract

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, fall 2020 and fall 2021 college enrollment rates declined significantly. Although this decline is well-documented, research uncovering the reasons behind this decline is limited, particularly for rural students who face added barriers to college-going. This study presents findings from analyses seeking to estimate the effects of COVID-19 on the college-going attitudes and behaviors of Grade 12 students in West Virginia. To estimate this effect, we compared items regarding college-going attitudes and behaviors from a Grade 12 student survey between students from the classes of 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 2021 (post-pandemic). Results show that while there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding college-going attitudes, there were significant differences regarding college-going behaviors.

Authors

• Samantha Spinney, ICF International
  Presenting Author

• Jennifer Grossman, WV Higher Education Policy Commission
  Presenting Author

• Brooke Shelley, ICF International
  Presenting Author