The purpose of this research was to explore the gaps in college and career readiness (CCR) skills for secondary students and the possible solutions for filling readiness gaps. This qualitative case study interviewed students, teachers, college professors, and business leaders to determine the gaps in the skills of new college students and…

The role that high schools play in the preparation of college students has long been under debate. There are differing perspectives presented by those who make up the secondary and post-secondary systems. However, the most critical voice in this debate continues to be the voice of the student. This study will provide a comprehensive review of…

African American students' completion of post-secondary education is among the lowest of any other subgroup in higher education (Banks & Dohy, 2019; Broom, 2018; CarterFrancique et al., 2015; Cokley et al., 2016; Dulabaum, 2016; Karkouti, 2016; Moragne-Patterson & Barnett, 2017; Strayhorn, 2017). This study focuses on addressing this…

Academic tracking or ability grouping is the process of placing students in different courses, or tracks, of educational programing based on their perceived ability level. This concept is based on an ideology of merit. Tracking research in the field of education has generally focused on K-12 education. However, higher education has long tracked…

In 2015, Wisconsin began mandating the ACT college entrance exam and the WorkKeys career readiness assessment. With population-level data and several quasi-experimental designs, we assess how this policy affected college attendance. We estimate a positive policy effect for middle/high-income students, no effect for low-income students, and greater…

No matter what path students pursue in postsecondary education and in life, they need to be able to problem-solve and think critically. The study of mathematics teaches skills and habits of mind that are an essential part of the formula for students to succeed in further studies and in their careers. Requiring all students, regardless of the…

Urban minoritized students often face a multitude of systemic challenges that play out in their statistical outcomes. Still, they are also surrounded by cultural, family, and community resources, supports, and funds of knowledge. In this manuscript, we present a methodology for a community-engaged process to urban educational ecosystems as a first…

The purpose of this article is to characterize the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) pipeline for Black adolescent female students by reviewing trends in (1) Advanced Placement (AP) test performance, (2) college enrollment decisions, (3) degree attainment, and (4) early career choices. This article examined quantitative…

This report describes ACT test results for AISD's graduating seniors, Class of 2018, who took the ACT any time during high school.

This report describes SAT test results for AISD's graduating seniors, Class of 2018, who took the SAT any time during high school.

Background/Context: Although dual enrollment (DE) programs have indicated positive impact on various high school and postsecondary outcomes, access to DE programs remains unequal; historically marginalized students are less likely than other students to attempt college credits in high school. Despite DE being a widely adopted program at the state…

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by inattentive, hyperactive, and impulsive behaviors. Impairment in individuals diagnosed with ADHD is significant; one such domain of impairment is achieving a college education. College students with ADHD tend to have lower grade point averages, take longer to graduate, and have…

The "college for all" ethos pervasive in American education, combined with open admission policies at community colleges, has allowed academically underprepared students to persist from high school to college. We ask: how do college advisors help academically underprepared students navigate decisions about their careers and upcoming…

This critical phenomenological inquiry explored the college preparation experiences of ten high-ability, Black, women who grew up in poverty to identify influences from various family, school, and community environments contributing to their college readiness. I used a conceptual framework informed by both Kimberlé Crenshaw's (1991)…

College and Career Readiness (CCR) programming during early high school years assists students with planning for effective post-school transitions. Group interventions that address CCR for early high school students permit school counselors, career counselors, career specialists, or teachers to engage with a large number of students at one time…