ERIC Number: EJ1399879
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0316-1218
EISSN: N/A
Navigating Higher Education: Factors Contributing to Former Foster Care Youth's Graduation from Post-Secondary Education
Elliott, Sean; FitzGerald, Carolyn
Canadian Journal of Higher Education, v52 n4 p56-66 2023
This study identifies factors contributing to the success of foster care alumni (FCA) who graduate from post-secondary education (PSE), despite institutions devoting little effort to making PSE accessible to FCA. Nine FCA PSE graduates were interviewed about their success. Responses were analyzed using an exploratory method to identify themes related to factors deemed critical to their graduation from PSE. Ferguson's (2019) conceptual model of a Student Development Pathway was used to organize findings; success factors were analyzed accordingly to their role in the Preparation, Awareness, Engagement, Transition, and Persistence phases. Findings suggest the role of coaching and caring adults was most notable in the Preparation, Engagement, and Transitional phases to PSE. Determination factored predominantly during the Persistence phase, and Resistance was most associated with the Preparation and Persistence phases. Findings also indicated numerous untapped opportunities and initiatives that could make PSE more accessible and achievable for FCA.
Descriptors: Foster Care, Postsecondary Education, Graduation Rate, Access to Education, College Graduates, Attitudes, College Planning, Coaching (Performance), Caring, Academic Persistence, Foreign Countries
Canadian Society for the Study of Higher Education. P.O. Box 34091, RPO Fort Richmond, Winnipeg, MB R3T 5T5, Canada. Tel: 204-474-6404; Fax: 204-474-7561; e-mail: csshe@cc.umanitoba.ca; Web site: http://journals.sfu.ca/cjhe/index.php/cjhe/index
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Postsecondary Education; Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A