Building a Multicontextual Model of Latino College Enrollment: Student, School, and State-Level Effects

Abstract

Latinos’ college enrollment rates, particularly in four-year institutions, have not kept pace with their population growth in the United States. Using three-level hierarchical generalized linear modeling, this study analyzes data from the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS) to examine the influence of high school and state contexts, in addition to student characteristics, on Latino students’ enrollment in four-year institutions. Results suggest that academic preparation, navigation of financial aid, levels of school resources, and teacher quality are among the important areas to target to promote Latino four-year college enrollment.

Variation Across Hispanic Immigrant Generations in Parent Social Capital, College-Aligned Actions, and Four-Year College Enrollment

“…This finding is consistent with other research demonstrating that Hispanic students are more likely than students from other racial/ethnic groups to state that it is important to live at home during college and that this is associated with a lower likelihood of applying to a four-year college, possibly because there are no nearby four-year institutions (Desmond & Turley, 2009;Nuñez & Kim, 2012). It is also possible that this finding partly reflects the fact that some first-generation Hispanic students are undocumented immigrants since legal status is one determinant of access to four-year institutions, in part because it structures access to financial assistance (Flores & Chapa, 2009).…”

“…Further, Hispanic students whose first language is not English may find it more challenging to access four-year institutions, at least in part due to inadequate academic preparation (Callahan & Humphries, 2016;Gándara & Contreras, 2009). Parent resources including income and level of education are also widely recognized influences on Hispanic students' college enrollment (Kim & Díaz, 2013;Nora & Crisp, 2009;Nuñez & Kim, 2012;O'Connor et al, 2010;Perna & Titus, 2005). Indeed, a narrow perspective on the assets that Hispanic youth and families bring to the college choice process has led some researchers to conclude that Hispanic students are less likely to enroll in a four-year college because they tend to come from comparably poor and less well educated families (Kao et al, 2013).…”

Intervention for High School Latino Students in Preparing for College

“…In one study, Latino high school students described their perception that certain counselors provided more attention to students from affluent families and to students who were athletes. Although a very small amount of college outreach programs exist to aid Latino students, it clearly is not enough to meet the needs of the growing population (Nuňez & Kim, 2012).…”

“…This discourages students from completing their application to and enrollment in college (Seftor et al, 2009). Nuňez and Kim (2012) show that a successful intervention program must provide training on financial management, including financial planning. Upward Bound offers financial planning assistance to participating parents, including financial aid and scholarship awareness programs: "Upward Bound works with small groups of students, operates with performance-based, measurable objectives, and focuses on eliminating one of the most common barriers to postsecondary education-financial aid, and the perception that it is unavailable or inaccessible" (Gullatt & Jan, 2003).…”

Presidential Leadership: Improving Completion Rates of Latino Male Students at Texas Community Colleges

“…Scholars have noted that Latino male students often face unique challenges as they attempt to complete a community college credential or degree. For example, some scholars suggest these students may not be familiar with the financial aid process (Fry, 2002;Núñez & Kim, 2012;Sáenz & Ponjuan, 2011) and encounter difficulties balancing the demands of academics, family, and work obligations (Harris & Wood, 2013;Sáenz & Ponjuan, 2011). These students also tend to lack help-seeking behaviors due to machismo (e.g.…”