In Their Own Words: Young Parents' Experiences With Education and a Call to Action for Education Stakeholders

Session Type: Virtual Symposium

Abstract

With the overturning of Roe v. Wade, births to young parents are likely to increase and education disparities will continue. Young parents—who are more likely to come from low-income and racially marginalized backgrounds—are much less likely to have enrolled in college by age 23 by more than 40 percentage points compared to childless peers. The field of education must intentionally support this population. In this symposium, we center teen mothers’ experiences with K-12 education, the transition to college, and their recommendations for dismantling barriers for young parenting students. We also hear how one high school parenting program supports young parents to achieve a high school diploma. Finally, our scholar expert will summarize a call-to-action for improvements at multiple stakeholder levels.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Grassroots Community and Youth Organizing for Education Reform

Chair

• Kate Westaby, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Papers

• The State of Education for Young Parents - Kate Westaby, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Young Moms' Experiences With Education and Policy Recommendations - Guadalupe Cosme; Laura Ruiz; Sinetra Wilson

• Capital High Parenting Experiences and Supports for Young Parents - Jessie Loeb

Discussant

• Autumn R. Green, The Urban Institute