High School Predictors of Postsecondary Outcomes: What Factors Influence Postsecondary Access, Persistence, and Completion?

• In Event: Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: P-20 Pipeline: Success Factors

Abstract

Schools and districts are increasingly being urged to graduate students that are “college and career ready.” This is particularly important for historically disadvantaged students given the significant disparities that exist in the college access and completion rates between these students and their more privileged peers. However, data limitations have often prevented longitudinal studies that track students from high school through college to determine what individual-level factors predict college enrollment, persistence and completion. The current study tracks two cohorts of students from Houston Independent School District (HISD) from high school through college to determine what variables, such as advanced and dual-credit coursework, scores on accountability assessments, and demographic characteristics, influence college access and outcomes.

Authors

• Celeste Alexander, The University of Texas - Austin

• Matt Giani, The University of Texas - Austin

• Pedro Reyes, The University of Texas - Austin