College Access Program Participants' Enrollment in Postsecondary Programs: An Investigation of Potential Predictors

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Six
  In Roundtable Session: Contextualizing Access: How Policy, Programs, and People Support Diverse Students (Table 7)

Abstract

College degrees remain a critical pathway to employment and other social protective factors. Numerous college access programs are provided to high school students nationwide, yet insufficient evidence exists to identify highly effective programs, nor to replicate, and continuously improve. This study utilized data collected by program providers to examine predictors of enrollment in postsecondary settings. Through logistic regression analyses, characteristics of students’ school experiences emerged as the most explanatory variables; followed by characteristics of students themselves. Features of UB program involvement itself were weak predictors. Implications of the findings include discussion of the relative weight of school experiences compared to supplemental college access programming, and equity particularly as race emerged as a significant predictor in only one case.

Authors

• Yusuf Kara, Southern Methodist University
  Presenting Author

• Annie Wright, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author

• LaChelle Cunnigham, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Rachel Johns, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Catherine Ticzon, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Anthony J. Petrosino, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author