Moving Beyond High School Expectations: Examining Stakeholders' Responsibility for Increasing Latina/o Students' College Readiness

Abstract

In an effort to improve college readiness for Latina/o students, this article examines the meaning and significance of college readiness among multiple stakeholders (teachers, counselors, parents, students, and superintendents) in the South Texas border region. Using focus group data, this article explores the assets embedded within college readiness by using integrated Chicana feminist theory (Anzaldúa, 1987; Fránquiz & Salazar, 2004) and community cultural wealth (Yosso, 2005, 2006) lenses. In particular, the authors conceptualize a hybrid framework-borderland cultural wealth (BCW)-which we define as the cultural assets present in this region that when cultivated and tapped into effectively can improve college preparation and access. Findings reveal that stakeholders felt both individual and collective responsibility for college readiness. Furthermore, stakeholders voiced the need for improved college readiness efforts so that students can be successful in diverse universities and to break the cycle of low-college-going rates of this region. Implications for research and practice for P-20 educators, practitioners, and policymakers are discussed.