Biographies and personal narratives are important for helping us understand how individuals make sense of their experiences and lives. This article explores the educational life histories of two adult Black women that we call Lauren and Shantel. Although both women graduated from US high schools, neither received the basic education and learning supports that would prepare them for successful adulthoods. This study demonstrates the long-term cumulative effects of social promotion and retention on the life outcomes of poor people of color and underscores the importance of prioritizing both students’ academic and socioemotional needs.
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