From High School to the Future: Potholes on the Road to College
A report from the Consortium on Chicago School Research (CCSR)
examines the experiences of low-income, first-generation Chicago public high school students
who aspire to attain a four-year college degree as they navigate the college search, application, choice, and enrollment processes. In addition, the authors analyze the effect of the high school environment and practices on student outcomes in these processes. By senior year, only 72 percent of those students who aspired to attain a four-year college degree planned to attend a four-year college in the fall, only 59 percent actually applied, 51 percent were accepted, and 41 percent enrolled. (3/08)
School Strategies and the “College-Linking” Process: Reconsidering the Effects of High Schools on College Enrollment
A study by Lori Diane Hill at the University of Michigan (published in the Sociology of Education) evaluates the effectiveness of various counseling philosophies on college-going rates . The analysis identifies three distinct strategies: traditional, clearinghouse and brokering. Results showed that the brokering strategy positively affected 4-year college attendance rates across racial/ethnic and socioeconomic groups (but had no effect on 2-year attendance). (2/08)
2007 Survey of Indiana School Counselors
A survey of Indiana school counselors—prepared by the Center for Evaluation and Education Policy (CEEP) at Indiana University for the Indiana Department of Education—found that 88 percent of counselors in the state feel they are effective in helping students despite a general consensus that they need more time to work with students one-on-one. Forty-five percent of counselors indicated that their caseload had increased in the last year. Counselors reported that testing responsibilities were the biggest obstacle to having more face time with students. (2/08)
Deciding on Postsecondary Education: Final Report
This report from the National Postsecondary Education Cooperative examines the information that potential students use and need in making decisions about postsecondary education. Special emphasis was given to underserved students (non-traditional aged, minority, and students of low- and moderate- socioeconomic status) participating in the college search and decision making process. Qualitative data were gathered and analyzed from 11 focus groups with 90 participants in eight states. Secondary data were collected via a review of over 80 sources in the research literature.
The literature review indicated that parents, guidance counselors, mainstream media, college brochures, and institutions are primary sources for information about college. For each group of focus group participants, cost, major/program of study, and convenience/location were major determinants in the college search, application, and matriculation processes. Online web-based resources are quickly gaining prominence among current and recent high school graduates who participated in the focus groups. Findings from this research suggest the need for comprehensible information, additional resources, and improved assistance for prospective college students and their families. (1/08)
Approaches to Dropout Prevention: Heeding Early Warning Signs With Appropriate Interventions
The National High School Center outlines steps that schools can take to identify at-risk students and provide the necessary support systems and relevant interventions to assist them in obtaining a high school diploma. The report discusses the use of early warning data systems to target interventions for groups and individual students, offers a variety of best practice approaches undertaken by higher-performing high schools and presents effective programs that are currently being implemented. (12/07)
Research Studies Database
The Education Commission of the States’ (ECS) High School Policy Center has launched an online research database. The database provides concise summaries of research studies related to student success in high school and college. The database currently has only 12 studies, including several directly related to counseling, but the database will expand in the coming months. (2/07)