Improving Urban Students’ College Readiness as a Driver of High School Curriculum Enhancement

Abstract

Many factors inhibit college completion by African-American high school graduates who come from low socio-economic backgrounds. Some factors are “cognitive,” while others can be classified as “non-cognitive.” Variables in the latter classification are examined in this study conducted at an urban high school in the Midwest with an African-American student population five times the national average, and in a city with a median income well below that of the nation. An instrument designed and validated to predict success of impoverished minority students in college was administered to over 200 students at this school. This paper outlines the connection between findings and specific curricular plans put forth by high school and district staff, assisted by two researchers from an area public university, as a way to prioritize the school resources aligned with non-cognitive variables leading to curriculum enhancement and successful student transition to college.