Who Influences Urban Students’ College Aspirations? Evidence From the Fifth Largest School District in the United States

Abstract

This study explored students’ perceptions about school counselor influence on college aspirations in the fifth largest school district in the nation. Using 2015 survey data from 12th graders, the findings indicated that students who selected their school counselor as the most helpful person for college advice were more likely to intend to go to college, as compared to students who selected other individuals. Practical implications highlight the important role of school counselors in urban districts with significant first-generation college student populations.

Keywords

college aspirations counselor interactions urban high schools

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