No Expectations Are Low Expectations? Comparing Educational Attainment Among Students With High, Low, or Noncommittal Educational Expectations

• In Event: Socioeconomic Status and Its Impact on Children

Abstract

Previous studies eliminated noncommittal students with “don’t know” educational expectations. This study investigated differences among noncommittal, low-, and high-expectation students regarding educational attainment after 10 years. Analytical samples were 13,635 White, African American, and Hispanic 10th graders derived from the Educational Longitudinal Study, 2002. Results indicated that, for White and Hispanic students, noncommittal students were equally likely to earn advanced degrees as low-expectation students. For African American students, noncommittal students had a lower likelihood of earning advanced degrees than low-expectation students. Moreover, parents’ educational expectations were not statistically significantly related to students’ educational attainment. Math and English teachers' educational expectations were positively impactful. Results suggested parents and teachers could recognize the “don’t know” response as a warning for low educational attainment.

Authors

• Cynthia Murphy, University of Massachusetts - Lowell

• Siffat Ara Sharmin, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Hsien-Yuan Hsu, University of Massachusetts Lowell