Stop, Drop, or Enroll? How Ability Beliefs Are Associated With College-Going Among Black Males

Abstract

High educational attainment is associated with beneficial outcomes for both individuals and society; however, Black males are underrepresented among college students. This study drew on a positive youth development (PYD) perspective to investigate the role of academic self-efficacy beliefs (a malleable strength) in predicting academic preparedness (a measure of PYD) and how academic preparedness, in turn, was associated with immediate postsecondary enrollment. We also investigated a school-level measure of climate—academic press—as a moderator. Our study’s sample of Black male students was drawn from the Education Longitudinal Study (ELS) of 2002 and used three waves of ELS data. We found significant direct and indirect (through academic preparedness) effects of academic self-efficacy beliefs on college enrollment, and the findings indicated no differences in indirect relationships based on academic press. We discuss recommendations for future studies and the practice of school counseling.