The Effects of GO Centers on Creating a College Culture in Urban High Schools in Texas

• Published in: The High School journal 2013-04, Vol.96 (4), p.283-301
• Main Authors: Stillisano, Jacqueline R., Brown, Danielle B., Alford, Beverly L., Waxman, Hersh C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic Achievement; Academic advising; Academic aspiration; Academic degrees; Academic failure; African Americans; Agricultural Occupations; College Admission; College Applicants; College Attendance; College Bound Students; College Preparation; College Readiness; College students; Colleges; Community Involvement; Company business planning; Course Content; Cultural policy; Curricula; Demographic aspects; Disproportionate Representation; Dropout Rate; Economic Status; Education, Higher; Educational Practices; Ethnic Groups; Factor Analysis; Family (Sociological Unit); High Achievement; High culture; High School Students; High school teachers; High school teaching; High Schools; Higher education; Hispanic American Students; Hispanic Americans; Integrated Services; Intervention (Psychology); Likert Scales; Low Income; Low Income Groups; Minority Group Students; Mixed Methods Research; Multivariate Analysis; Outreach Programs; Participation; Planning; Postsecondary Education; School Culture; School districts; Secondary school students; Secondary schools; Social Class; Student aspirations; Student Financial Aid; Student Participation; Student services; Student Surveys; Studies; Surveys; Teacher Surveys; Texas; Urban Areas; Urban Schools
• ISSN: 0018-1498; 1534-5157; 1534-5157
• DOI: 10.1353/hsj.2013.0013

Despite a generation of efforts to make higher education an achievable goal for all students, the gap in college participation rates between low-income and high-income students has not narrowed. Moreover, students of color continue to be underrepresented on postsecondary campuses. Early intervention efforts and college outreach programs such as college access centers have been identified as exemplary strategies for encouraging a college-going culture in high schools and in decreasing the gap among racial/ethnic groups who have access to college. This study examined the effectiveness of enhanced college access centers known as GO Centers in assisting students during their preparation and application for college and in providing activities conducive to the development of a college-going culture in eight comprehensive high schools located in a large urban school district. Findings indicate that the enhanced GO Centers demonstrate four aspects identified as important in encouraging a college-going culture in a high school: The centers (a) are inclusive and accessible to all students; (b) demonstrate an understanding of how students develop aspirations and plans to attend college; (c) offer comprehensive services to students and their families, including guidance in preparing for college, applying for college, and accessing financial aid; and (d) employ a systematic approach involving stakeholders.