The Future of Education

Edition 14

Accepted Abstracts

College and Career Aspirations: Identity Pathways Case Studies of Latinx High School Students

Ana Guerrero, University of California - Santa Barbara (United States)

Abstract

In a California Central Coast public high school, this qualitative study examined 12 (6 females, 6 males) narrative case studies of Latinx college and career aspiration development and self-perception as juniors in high school. The informants were either 1.5 or second-generation immigrants. Using the Bridging Multiple Worlds, Psychological Resilience and Life as Authoring theoretical frameworks, this study also examined the challenges and resources they encounter while developing these perceptions and how it connects to their current actions and decisions. Using Insider Grounded Theory and a triangulation analysis of the informants’ semi-structured interviews, facilitation prompts and academic records, data was thematically coded and compared across informants. Five major themes were found: 1). Outreach programs support Latinx identity and skill development. 2). High college and career aspirations were motivated by parent reciprocity. 3). Lack of diversity in advanced courses correlated with students’ perceived cognitive abilities. 4). The need for college and career development in school.  5). The need for moral support in the school environment. There is limited amount of literature on the importance of the students’ junior year experience and decision-making process, and how that impacts their aspirations and future opportunities after high school. This study advanced the understanding of how school experiences correlates with self-perception for Latinx high school students. In specific, the findings can help inform high school career centers and advanced courses to become more culturally proficient and address Latinx needs.

Keywords: College aspirations, career aspirations, Latinx High School Students, Educational Equity;

References: 
[1] Cooper, C., (2011) Bridging Multiple Worlds: Cultures, Identities, and Pathways to College. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press.
[2] Duran, R. & Chaidez, S. (2016). Latino Students’ Transition to College and Perceptions of Future Self. Editor Cynthia Hudley, Adolescent Identity and Schooling: Diverse Perspectives (54-66). Routledge: New York, NY.
[3] Kozulin, Alex. (1991) Life As Authoring: The Humanistic Tradition in Russian Psychology. New Ideas in Psychology, 9 (3) 355-351

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