The California A-G requirements and first-generation Latino students

Abstract of THE CALIFORNIA A-G REQUIREMENTS AND FIRST-GENERATION LATINO STUDENTS by Maricela Lauren Melendrez Brief Literature Review Critical Race theory, Latino Identity Development, and Dewey's Pedagogic Creed were reviewed in the context of Latino education. Latinos are the largest minority in the United States. According to the 2008 U.S. Census, Latinos make up 36.6% of California's population, and in 2025, Latinos will compose 25% of all students enrolled in U.S. public schools (Zarate & Burciaga, 2010). However, there is still a widening gap in education between Latino students and their White counterparts (Zarate & Burciaga, 2010). Statement of the Problem The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the California A-G requirements are understood and acted upon by first-generation Latino students who aspire to attend a four-year institution. Methodology A mixed-methods approach was utilized for this study. Two questionnaires using a five point Likert-type scale were developed for the study. One questionnaire was used for the student participants and one questionnaire was designed for the counselors and administrators. There were 25 student respondents represented by 17 females and eight males, all between the ages of 17 and 18. Six of the student respondents agreed to be interviewed. There were also two counselor respondents with one agreeing to be interviewed. Conclusions and Recommendations The study found most of the 25 students were not very knowledgeable about the California A-G requirements at first, but throughout their years of high school, they became more and more familiar with the California A-G requirements. A total of 52% of the participants indicated their counselors failed to mention the California A-G requirements to them. As for the counselors in the study, both counselors strongly agreed they make every effort to mention the A-G requirements to all students, especially Latino students. Both counselors also stated they encouraged their students to maintain at least a 2.0 GPA, mentioned four-year universities, and let the students know when they were missing some A-G requirements. More research is needed on the implementation of the California A-G requirements, and how educators, administrators, and teachers can help increase awareness about the admissions requirements for California public educational institutions.