Latinx Students and Postsecondary Preparation: Putting the ASCA Model into Practice

Abstract

To address educational disparities experienced by some Latinx youth and help close the achievement and opportunity gaps in one small school, the first author taught a year-long course on college and career readiness to 16 members of the senior class, using the three ASCA domains as a foundation. The first author was the school counselor in the primarily Latinx-serving charter school, where she designed and delivered the course in alignment with the ASCA National Model: A Framework for School Counseling Programs. The academic, career, and social-emotional development domains were addressed through a wide variety of lessons and activities. Although a pre-test assessment indicated little knowledge of how to prepare or apply for college, by the end of the school year, the majority of students had been accepted and registered for classes at an institution of higher learning. The project underscores the necessity and ethical imperative of providing advocacy and individualized attention to Latinx students, who despite ability and aptitude, may otherwise miss opportunities for postsecondary education.