Abstract:
Despite Latinas' increased representation in K-12 public schooling, they continue to be underrepresented at the level of higher education. Very little attention has been placed on helping Latina high school graduates make the transition to higher education. A sequential explanatory mixed methods study was conducted in order to identify best practices for providing transition services and support to Latina high school students in the state of Georgia. In order to identify best practices, the researcher examined study participants' transition experiences, the forms of social and cultural capital that they utilized to reach college, and their perception of best practices.
In Phase I, an online survey was completed by 502 participants from 14 colleges/universities within the University System of Georgia (USG). In Phase II, two focus group interviews were conducted at two colleges/universities within the USG; one at each university. The findings from the focus groups were used to explain the survey findings and to further explore the transition experience of Latina high school students in Georgia. The researcher integrated findings from the online survey and focus groups in order to propose a set of best practices for facilitating access to higher education for Latina high school students in Georgia.