Latino Students in American Colleges

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The current trend in lack of Latina/o students attending college combines a lack of college readiness with a deficiency in resources to prepare this student population. More and more higher education scholars are accepting these deficiencies as roadblocks to college access, and are looking to preparation programs and parent educational resources as a subject worthy of consideration. There are many different challenges being faced by this population, a population that is according to Oliva and Nora, “the fastest growing minority population in the country”(Oliva & Nora, 2004). Research shows that “less than 43% of Hispanic high school students are qualified to enroll in 4 year institutions”(Saunders & Serna, 2004). With the rapid growth in population, this minority group needs advocacy for equal opportunities in higher learning now more than ever.
Educators, parents, policy makers, and institutional leaders all play a vital role in the advocacy of Latino/a students on their journey towards higher education. Access to information on how to attain higher education and practices needed to plan for the next steps, are necessary in preparing for the future. As the Latina/o population continues to grow in the United States it is important to recover what their educational outlook is in regards to higher learning. This literature review will examine the roadblocks facing Latina/o students including, parent involvement and understanding, family influence, preparation programs, and school support, and explore ways in which educators can work towards making college access a more frequent reality for Latina/o students.
Parent Involvement and Understanding
To begin to understand why Latina/o students find themselves significantly behind thei...

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...ation, 5(2), 78-95.
Oliva, M. (2008). Latino access to college: Actualizing the promise and potential of K-16 partnerships. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 7(2), 119-130.
Oliva, M., & Nora, A. (2004). College access and the K-16 pipeline: Connecting policy and practice for Latino student success. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 3(2), 117-124.
Saunders, M., & Serna, I. (2004). Making college happen: The college experiences of first-generation Latino students. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 3(2), 146-163.
Stern, G. M. (2009). Why Latino students are failing to attend college. Education Digest: Essential Readings Condensed for Quick Review, 75(1), 46-49.
U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2003). Status and trends in the education of Hispanics (NCES 2003-008). Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

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