Brian A. Young

First Advisor

Cohen, Michael

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

12-2020

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not socioeconomic status (SES) influenced high school students’ plans for continuing their learning after high school. This study collected data via an online survey and a sample size of 343 participants from three comprehensive public high schools. A hierarchical logistic regression was conducted and found to be statistically significant. The variables of gender, race, and SES were found not to be significant predictors of having a postsecondary plan, but grade point average (GPA) was a significant predictor. The results failed to reject the null hypothesis, meaning household SES was not a significant predictor of having a postsecondary plan. This study also aimed to identify what factors influenced students in making their postsecondary decisions through a profile analysis using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results from the repeated measures ANOVA indicate a significant difference in the mean responses for the different barriers and for the different barriers based on SES. The barriers of affordability, the ability to apply, the expectation of success, worry about fitting in, and parental experiences and expectations, all showed significant differences. Responses to four open-ended questions identified financial influences, family influences, and self-interests as influencing the participants’ postsecondary decisions. The intent of this study was to help school and school district leaders better understand how to support students, especially those from low-SES households, in planning for postsecondary learning.

Extent

156 pages

Local Identifiers

Young_unco_0161D_10877.pdf

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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