The Early Academic Outreach Program at UC Davis and social factors present for Latino/a participants

Leah Marisa Rico and Gloria Teresa Rodriguez-Rooks collaborated equally in all phases of this research project which included identification of the research problem, review of the literature, and collection and analysis of the data. The Latino community is the fastest growing minority group in the United States and currently there is a disproportionate number seeking higher education. The Early Academic Outreach Program at the University of California, Davis serves underrepresented students from underserved schools in an attempt to better prepare students to attain postsecondary education. Data was collected by the program for statistical purposes and is used for system analysis. This existing information was reviewed for Latino/a student participants from select Yolo County high schools who graduated between the years of 2005 and 2009. Information gathered incorporated a variety of information which is collected by EAOP application forms. Social factors were examined such as parental level of education, language, income, student participation in program activities, and course completion by the student. Postsecondary attainment, course completion, and social factors are presented. Significant findings included the presence of social factors such as language spoken by the participant and the household, gender, and social services declared and qualified for.