Educational attainment for at-risk high school students: closing the gap

Area of Science:

• Educational Outreach
• Higher Education Access
• Socioemotional Learning

Background:

• Persistent higher education gap for underserved, first-generation, low-income minority students.
• Limited knowledge regarding college applications and future success among these students.
• Need for effective precollege programs to bridge the educational divide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a university-sponsored tutorial-mentorship program (Soar) for first-generation high school students.
• To determine if the program improves college application completion and readiness for higher education.
• To assess the program's impact on students' socioemotional and cognitive development.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-method study involving 80 first-generation junior and senior high school students.
• Quantitative surveys and qualitative focus groups to assess program outcomes.
• Analysis of college application submissions, acceptances, and skill development.

Main Results:

• Students submitted applications and received 205 acceptances from 96 colleges.
• Significant improvements observed in socioemotional and cognitive skill development and knowledge.
• Qualitative themes supported quantitative findings, highlighting gains in confidence, financial literacy, self-advocacy, and critical thinking.

Conclusions:

• The Soar program effectively prepares underserved, first-generation students for higher education.
• Outreach programs can significantly enhance college attainment for minority students.
• The Soar model offers a replicable framework for college preparation in urban settings.