College readiness variables for African American high school seniors

This sequential mixed methods study examined the variables of attendance, discipline, school feeder patterns, economically disadvantaged, and extracurricular activity participation on the college readiness of African American (AA) high school seniors. The data were analyzed to determine if there was a relationship between the five variables and college readiness of the seniors. A purposeful sample of AA high school seniors from a large diverse school district in Texas was utilized for the study. The data concerning AA high school seniors consisted of archived Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) data, survey of college ready AA high school seniors, and semi-structured interviews of college ready AA high school seniors. Descriptive analysis of Pearson’s moment correlation was used to analyze quantitative PEIMS data and Qualtrics survey data. The seniors’ perceptions of the five variables were analyzed using a thematic coding process. Triangulation of the archived PEIMS data, survey, and semi-structured interviews helped the researcher gain a comprehensive perspective of the AA high school seniors’ mindsets towards the variables to become college ready. Findings indicated that even though AA high school seniors were consistently behind academically compared to their Hispanic and White peers and faced discrimination and racial bias both in and out of the school, some AA high school seniors persevered and maintained a college ready mindset. Most of the college ready AA high school seniors commented that doing the right thing at all times was instilled in them by their parents (particularly mothers) and making goals and plans early in their school years aided their drive to be college ready.