College Access and Success

among High School Graduates Taking the SAT: Latino Students Mary McKillip

May 2, 2013

Preparate Conference

Overview

Who is in the studies

Trend analysis

Statistical analysis

Discussion

College enrollment

I’m good at math

High math test scores

Challenging math courses

Identifying “Latino” SAT-takers 35. How do you describe yourself?

(Mark only one.)

a. American Indian or Alaska Native

b. Asian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander

c. Black or African American

d. Mexican or Mexican American

e. Puerto Rican

f. Other Hispanic, Latino, or Latin American

g. White

h. Other

High School to College: Latino Students 4

College Paths of Latino SAT Takers

25% 22%

28% 32%

47% 46%

2004 N=131,778 2010 N=217,520

No college 2-year 4-year

First College Attended in 1 year

High School to College: Latino Students] 5

56% 26%

18%

Attended First College after 2005

No college

2-year

4-year

45% 55%

4-year Graduation by 2010

No

Yes

Increase from 35% of Latino graduating seniors to 39%

Percentage of Latino SAT takers enrolling in and graduating from a four-year college among 2004 and 2010 cohorts, by degree goals

55%

56%

Percentage of Latino SAT takers enrolling in and graduating from a four-year college among 2004 and 2010 cohorts, by self-estimated mathematics ability

65%

Percentage of Latino SAT takers enrolling in and graduating from a four-year college among 2004 and 2010 cohorts, by number of AP exams taken

Increase in AP Examinees from 41% of Latino SAT takers to 47%

Percentage of Latino SAT takers enrolling in and graduating from a four-year college among 2004 and 2010 cohorts, by gender

57% of Latino SAT takers were female in 2004 & 2010

59%

50%

Percentage of Latino SAT takers enrolling in and graduating from a four-year college among 2004 and 2010 cohorts, by parental education

Percentage of Latino SAT takers enrolling in and graduating from a four-year college among 2004 and 2010 cohorts, by language use

Decrease from 26% to 17%

Trends in characteristics of Latino SAT takers and 4-year college enrollment and graduation

• Higher aspirations, higher self-perceived ability, higher achievements

• Growth of group from 2004-2010, stable trends suggest more Latino college success by 2016

Growth in bilingualism among Latino SAT-takers suggests more bilingual college graduates as well

What 4-Year Colleges Say They Look For In Study Analysis

1. Rigorous High School Courses (AP and other)

2. High GPA

3. High College Entrance Exam Scores (SAT)

4. Teacher and counselor recommendations

5. Well-written Admissions Essay

6. Expressed interest in attending college

7. High Class Rank

8. Passion and leadership in extracurriculars

Also considered: Demographics, cultural activities

Top Predictors of 4-year College Enrollment among Latino SAT Takers in 2010

High School to College: Latino Students 14

1. Expressed interest in attending college (send scores to colleges and aim for at least a 4-year college degree)

2. High SAT score

3. English dominant (English only or Bilingual)

4. Participation in Honors and AP Courses & AP Exams

5. High GPA (the more Honors/AP courses taken, the less GPA matters

6. Passion and/or leadership in Sports

Matters more for

Latino (and Asian)

students than others

Top Predictors of 4-year College Graduation among Latino SAT Takers by 2010 (among 2004 cohort)

High School to College: Latino Students 15

1. Expressed interest in attending college (attended within one year after high school graduation)

2. High GPA (the more Honors/AP courses taken, the less GPA matters

3. High SAT score

4. Being Female

5. At least one parent has a college degree

6. Being Mexican (negative effect)

7. Participation in Honors and AP Courses & AP Exams

8. Took 4 years of a foreign language

Sports participation

matters less for Latino students

than others

What else matters?

31%

69%

College Enrollment Model

Many other factors help to predict student college enrollment and graduation beyond demographics and quantitative measures such as test scores for Latino students.

High School to College: Latino Students 16

39%

61%

College Graduation Model

Demographic & Quantitative Measures Other Factors

Conclusions • FROM WHAT WE CAN MEASURE QUANTITATIVELY:

More Latino students are taking the SAT, with higher aspirations, higher perceived ability, and fluency in English and another language High academic achievement matters most for 4-year college enrollment and graduation Also important: • Aspirations/interests • Sports participation • 4-years of foreign language (for graduation) • Demographics (female, parent with a college degree) (for

graduation) • WHAT ABOUT THESE HELP STUDENTS IN COLLEGE TRANSITION? • WHAT AREN’T WE ABLE TO MEASURE?

Thank you!

Contact info:

• Mary McKillip

• mmckillip@collegeboard.org

• http://research.collegeboard.org/

Top Predictors of 2-year College Enrollment among Latino SAT Takers in 2010

On college list

Participation in Honors and AP Courses and Exams

Expressed interest in attending college (aim for at least 4-year college degree)

Not on college list

English dominant (English only or Bilingual)

Low SAT Score, Low Class Rank

In high school with more students taking SAT

High School to College: Latino Students 19

Matters more for Latino (and Black and Native American) students than other race groups

Sports Participation

Parents have at least a high school degree, but no college degree Unique to Latino students