First-Generation Students in Postsecondary Education: A Look at Their College Transcripts. Postsecondary Education Descriptive Analysis Report

摘要

Recent research has generated a large body of knowledge about students who are the first members of their families to attend college (referred to as 'first-generation students' in this report). The results show that such students are at a distinct disadvantage in gaining access to postsecondary education. Even those who overcome the barriers and do enroll have difficulty remaining enrolled and attaining a degree (Horn and Nunez 2000; Nunez and Cuccaro-Alamin 1998; Warburton, Bugarin, and Nunez 2001). What has not been well studied, however, are the coursetaking experiences of first-generation students after entering college.