Abstract
This study examined the perceptions of leaders of grant-supported projects aimed at increasing the college-going rate of high school students in rural Appalachian counties in Mississippi to determine which factors they felt most influenced the college-going rate, parental participation in school activities, and community participation. Analysis of the leaders’ responses to questions related to these items showed that college visits and ACT preparation workshops were perceived as having the greatest impact on increasing the college-going rate at the schools. No one factor was perceived as having the least impact on increasing the college-going rate at the schools. Factors influencing parental and community participation included events and workshops for parents, especially those which involved community members as mentors. Acknowledgement: This research was supported by Appalachian Regional Commission Grant MS-16115.
Highlights
The current study examined Mississippi communities that were part of the Appalachian Higher Education Network (AHEN)
Respondents indicated the importance of involving mentors, providing opportunities for job shadowing, supplying career information, and hosting a college week at the school. This is in agreement with recommendations by the National Center for Education Evaluation (2009) that high schools “surround students with adults and peers who build and support their college-going aspirations.”
Rural students may be at a disadvantage when making college attendance decisions because their family and community members have low levels of educational attainment
Summary
Numerous factors influence students’ decisions to attend college, but the influence of family is strong. According to the National Center for Education Evaluation (2009), the two key issues related to increasing the number of students attending college are (a) ensuring students are academically prepared and (b) guiding students to take the appropriate steps for college entrance. They recommend that schools endeavor to make families more financially aware and provide help for students in the process of applying for financial aid. Parents, and school personnel was important in the college-going decision-making process, assistance in applying for financial aid and admission, and in preparing for and taking the SAT/ACT had even greater effects. In addition to funds for programs, personnel at the university overseeing the project provided the communities with technical assistance
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