Using Gottfredson's Theory of Circumscription and Compromise to Improve Latino Students' School Success

Abstract

Academic success among Latino youth is low relative to other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. It is important that school counselors recognize factors that influence school success among Latino youth and develop strategies to assist those students in reaching their potential. The authors discuss Gottfredson's theory of circumscription and compromise as a framework by which school counselors can conceptualize school failure among Latino youth and devise developmental, contextual, and culturally sensitive interventions to improve Latino students’ academic and career success. They present a case study to illustrate ideas and discuss specific implications for school counselors and possibilities for future research.