A Data-Based Model to Predict Postsecondary Educational Attainment of Low-Socioeconomic-Status Students

The National Educational Longitudinal Study database was used to examine the educational development of students of low socioeconomic status (SES). A path analysis was conducted to determine the effects of student background, psychological, and behavioral variables on postsecondary educational attainment of low-SES students. The results show that high school math scores were the most powerful predictor of postsecondary educational attainment, followed by effects of academic expectations, locus of control, reading scores, problem behavior, and classroom behavior. Implications for school counselors are discussed.

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