Overcoming the Tasks on the Path to College for America's Disadvantaged

Abstract

Using data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988, this chapter seeks to gain a better understanding of what factors assist economically and sociologically underprivileged Americans to ready themselves for college.

Contextual Influences on Parental Involvement in College Going: Variations by Socioeconomic Class

“…Based on their review and synthesis of prior research, Cabrera and La Nasa (2000) concluded that parental encouragement may be manifested via high expectations for the students' degree attainment, a motivational form of encouragement, and via particular activities, a proactive form of encouragement. Proactive activities may include parental involvement in school activities and processes, parental saving for college, and parentstudent discussions about college and education-related topics.…”

“…As suggested in prior research (Cabrera & La Nasa, 2000;Perna & Titus, 2005), parents shape college opportunity for their children in a variety of ways. Participants indicate that parents support and encourage college opportunity through their expectations for their children's educational and occupational attainment, discussions with their children about college-related activities, efforts to take their children to visit colleges, and ability and willingness to pay college prices.…”

“…Research shows that parental involvement is positively related to college aspirations and enrollment (Cabrera & La Nasa, 2000;Horn, 1998;Hossler, Schmit, & Vesper, 1999;Perna, 2000), as well as to measures of academic preparation for college (Lee, 1993;Muller, 1993;Zick, Bryant, & Osterbacka, 2001). But involvement is often limited for low-income parents by economic, social, and psychological barriers (Furstenberg, Cook, Eccles, Elder, & Sameroff, 1999;Hoover-Dempsey & Sandler, 1997;Perna, 2004).…”

Goals and Expectations of Continuation High School Students Transitioning to Postsecondary Education

“…The path of a successful PSE requires that students gain access to an institution of higher education, negotiate the process of PSE, and complete curriculum that supports their career objectives (Cabrera & LaNasa, 2000;Schneider & Stevenson, 1999;Venezia & Jaeger, 2013).…”

The Relationship between Parental Involvement as Social Capital and College Enrollment: An Examination of Racial/Ethnic Group Differences

“…Researchers have found that parental involvement is associated with a greater likelihood of aspiring to attend college and actually enrolling (Cabrera & La Nasa, 2000;Horn, 1998;Hossler, Braxton & Coopersmith, 1989;Hossler, Schmit & Vesper, 1999;Perna, 2000), as well as with higher grades (Lee, 1993;Muller, 1993;Zick, Bryant, & Osterbacka, 2001), higher eighth grade mathematics and reading achievement (Lee, 1993;Sui-Chu & Willms, 1996), lower rates of behavioral problems (Lee, 1993;Zick, Bryant, & Osterbacka, 2001), and lower likelihood of high school dropout and truancy (McNeal, 1999).…”