Understanding Latinx Adolescents' Academic Outcomes: Individual and Contextual Factors

Session Type: Paper Symposium

Abstract

Latinx adolescents’ educational experiences shape their later health, social, and economic outcomes (Schneider et al., 2006). Although Latinx students bring considerable strengths to their educational pursuits (Díaz & McClelland, 2018), they also encounter substantial contextual barriers during their educational experiences (McFarland et al., 2017). This symposium focuses on examining the individual and contextual factors associated with the academic outcomes of Latinx adolescents in the U.S. and internationally. Paper 1 examines the associations between confidence, competence, character, caring, and connection (i.e., the Five Cs; Lerner et al., 2013) and educational outcomes among Latinx middle school students in the U.S. Findings highlight critical gender differences in these associations, and expand Five Cs research on Latinx adolescents. Paper 2 examines how Mexican-origin adolescents’ school and community contexts contribute to their achievement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math in the U.S. Drawing on a nationally representative longitudinal study, findings demonstrate mixed associations between community resources and Mexican-origin youth’s educational outcomes, offering a nuanced view of the associations between community resources and student outcomes. Paper 3 examines the associations between ethnic-racial identity development (ERI), ethnic-racial discrimination and academic outcomes among adolescents in Colombia. Adding critical insights to these developmental processes among an international sample, findings provide evidence for the negative implications of ethnic-racial discrimination and positive implications of ERI development to adolescents’ academic engagement and school belonging, but not their grades. Together, these studies illuminate new understandings of the factors that shape Latinx adolescents’ academic outcomes, while situating them within their contemporary social contexts.

Sub Unit

• Race, Ethnicity, Culture, Context

Chair

• Gladys María Aguilar, Harvard University

Discussant

• Saskias Casanova, UC Santa Cruz

Individual Presentations

• Examining Links between Latinx Youths’ Positive Youth Development and Educational Outcomes - Presenting Author: Kealie Walker, University of Arizona; Non-Presenting Author: Rayni Thomas, University of Arizona; Non-Presenting Author: Melissa Y Delgado, University of Arizona; Non-Presenting Author: Rajni L. Nair, Arizona State University

• It Takes a Community: The Role of Neighborhood Resources for Mexican-Origin Children in STEM - Presenting Author: Natalya Zaika, Tufts University; Non-Presenting Author: Sae Hyun Oh, Tufts University; Non-Presenting Author: Tama Leventhal, Tufts University

• Associations between Ethnic-Racial Identity, Discrimination Experiences, and Academic Adjustment among Colombian Adolescents - Presenting Author: Gladys María Aguilar, Harvard University; Non-Presenting Author: Adriana J. Umaña-Taylor, Harvard University; Non-Presenting Author: Kristia Wantchekon, Harvard University; Non-Presenting Author: Elana R. McDermott, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Non-Presenting Author: Michael R Sladek, University of Oklahoma; Non-Presenting Author: Liliana Uribe Tirado, Universidad de San Buenaventura; Non-Presenting Author: Luz Tilano Vega, Universidad de San Buenaventura