An Evaluation of the Educational Impact of College Campus Visits: A Randomized Experiment

• In Event: 51.078 - MTCC Roundtable Session 21
  In Roundtable Session: 51.078-6 - Structural Inequalities in Schools

Abstract

While college enrollment rates have increased, graduation rates have stagnated in recent years, particularly among historically underrepresented groups. We hypothesize these gaps persist due to a lack of familiarity with college. We examine the causal effect of an intervention designed to address this experiential barrier. We work with schools serving primarily economically disadvantaged students or students of color to bring randomly assigned 8th grade students on 3 visits to a public flagship university. The field trips result in increased conversations with school personnel about college and increased knowledge about college, but decreased engagement in school. Our results suggest interventions aimed at increasing college-related cultural capital are an important—and largely absent—strategy for improving postsecondary access.

Authors

• Elise Swanson, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville

• Katherine Kopotic, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

• Jonathan N Mills, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

• Gema Zamarro, University of Arkansas

• Jay p.. Greene, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville

• Gary Ritter, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville