Case studies of low socioeconomic Mexican American graduates in the Austin Independent School District: why they didn't drop out

Abstract

Research data revealed that Mexican Americans have the highest dropout rate of any other Hispanic group. Since Hispanics are becoming the highest minority group in the U.S., the primary purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate what helped third generation low socioeconomic Mexican American A.I.S.D. students successfully graduate from high school. Three former students were selected from three different high schools. The researcher collected data through individual interviews with each participant and with key informants such as parents and school personnel. Issues examined included participant perceptions of factors that kept them in school, the support systems they believed were important, and the challenges they encountered. The overall findings revealed that the three participants had a strong sense of control, positive relationships with peers and school staff, parents who valued education, and strong school support through programs or personnel. Recommendations for educators based on the findings include 1) staff development on building relationships with students and communicating with parents, 2) creation of nurturing and academically rigorous school environments.