Purpose

Based on this earlier research, we have developed a model for effective college preparation programs. Although this framework is helpful for providing broad guidelines for what works in bridging low income students from high school to college admission, our next step is to refine the model for a better understanding of how to enable students to attend and graduate from a postsecondary institution. Because the transition from high school to baccalaureate frequently includes the community college, we are now investigating the path through two-year institutions. 

Goals

The primary goals of this study are to refine and extend the model for effective college preparation programs focusing on urban at-risk youth; to develop a framework for the effective transfer of students from high schools to the community college and from the community college to 4-year institutions; and to impact policy and practice with our findings by providing decision-makers with a better understanding of how program effectiveness can be defined.