Early College High School Graduates' Perceptions of College Readiness During Bachelor's Degree Attainment

Abstract

Texas has approximately 200 designated early college high schools (ECHS). The present study aimed to acquire feedback from ECHS graduates to identify how students could be prepared more effectively for postsecondary education degree attainment and identify potential areas of disconnect between ECHS and 4-year colleges. To explore early college student postsecondary preparation, former ECHS students were interviewed using a semi-structured interview design.

Three dimensions of Organizational Socialization were used to frame findings from the document review and participant responses: performance proficiency, people, organizational goals and values. Participants shared stories illustrating how ECHS provided many college preparatory supports and activities in all three dimensions to help socialize students within institutions of higher education.

Students reported they felt prepared for postsecondary education after graduation. They also said they continued to use several college preparatory activities in their postsecondary setting. Participants discussed some areas in which they felt underprepared and recommended more support in the areas of personal finance, social network support, and college match.