How do Mexican Students Get to College?

• In Event: 549 - Section on International Migration Refereed Roundtable Session and Business Meeting
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 12. Mobility and Integration

Abstract

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, only 57.4% of Mexicans 25 years and older attained at least a high school diploma; this is more than thirty percentage points below the national average. Why is this group’s educational attainment so low? The majority of quantitative work addressing this question focuses on students who do not advance to college, so that factors explaining failure are highlighted. Qualitative research on this topic is not as prevalent but available research also does not follow the process of Mexican Americans getting into college; high school experiences are emphasized. Much of the research is focused on the experiences of students in either California or Texas. Using 30 interviews with 1.5 and 2nd generation Mexican students at a public state university in Pennsylvania this research identified 11 factors that facilitated their transition from high school to college. All of the factors identified were resources at the students’ disposal. Specifically it was the respondents’ families, teachers, counselors, and other adults who provided these resources in the form of motivation, encouragement, and support that made students believe that college was something they could attain and countered the perceptions and stereotypes that people like them are uneducated. Perhaps more importantly was the specific information and guidance that helped students learn about different majors and colleges, how to apply to college, and ultimately how to get to college.

Author

• Jorge Ballinas, Temple University