Original Research

This study examines the types of sources of information and approaches students use when making their decisions regarding postsecondary education, and the roles other individuals play and paths they follow regarding this decision. Information gathered from a literature review and 11 focus groups with 90 participants in eight states revealed that there was a lack of knowledge and about resources and general information on postsecondary education.

This 2-year study evaluates how Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEARUP) and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) affected the college plans of 4 cohorts of high school students. Findings showed that there were higher aspirations and college knowledge for AVID and GEARUP students, and considerably higher academic preparation for AVID students.

This study uses descriptive case studies of 15 high schools in five states to determine the effects of parental involvement on school context and college opportunity. Three common themes were identified in the case studies analyzed: (a) parents shape college opportunity for their children, but involvement varies based on socioeconomic status; (b) parental involvement is shaped by, and also shapes, the school context for college opportunity; and (c) parental involvement is also shaped by their knowledge of the higher education opportunities in their state.

This study uses a nationally representative sample of students that were in grade 10 in 1980 that took the High School and Beyond Survey. The findings indicate that math courses do play an important role in predicting postsecondary education success for both men and women and students of different ethnic backgrounds, and students that took more advanced math courses on average had higher earnings.

This meta-analysis of 213 studies reviewed the impact of social-emotional skills programs. Of these studies, 27 comparison group studies examined high school programs. Programs aim to promote a wide array of skills including social skills, self-esteem, empathy, problem solving, conflict resolution, coping, and stress reduction. Results indicated that social-emotional learning (SEL) programs are successful at all educational levels (elementary, middle, and high school) and in urban, suburban, and rural schools.

This report by EPIC reveals that students who are generally proficient in the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) will likely be ready for a wide range of postsecondary courses. The more CCSS in which they are proficient, the wider the range of postsecondary-level classes they will be ready to undertake.

This report analyzed data on college enrollment from the National Student Clearinghouse and on high school graduates from the Virginia Department of Education. Results showed that 62 percent of Virginia public high school graduates enrolled in degree-granting institutions within one year of graduation. Economically disadvantaged students and limited English proficient students had lower enrollment rates than their peers.

This report reviewed whether high school students are meeting the high school course requirements needed for admission to four-year public universities in California. Patterns of high school course-taking associated with preparation for college and entry into two-year California community colleges and four-year California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) institutions are documented. It was determined that students who complete college preparatory courses starting in 9th grade are more likely to complete the CSU and UC course requirements.

This study aimed to find out whether the expectations of the Central Region states match the expectations of colleges and the workplace, and if state standards for what students should know and be able to do in English language arts and mathematics are aligned with expectations common to two national studies on skills needed for entry to college and the workplace. Six states outside the region were selected as a comparison group. The report reveals specific findings on topics missing in the academic standards for the Central Region states.

This report from MDRC summarizes findings from a randomized controlled trial evaluating the long-term (three-year) effects of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe dropout recovery program. The sample included 1,200 young people in the intervention and control groups. Members of the program group were much more likely than those in the control group to have obtained a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or a high school diploma, to have earned college credits, and to be employed. Additionally, they were less likely to have crime, delinquency, and health problems.