It Takes a Counselor, Not a Village

New research shows that a single, optimistic college adviser can propel legions of low-income high school students to higher education.

Thomas described his research Monday at the annual meeting of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, in New York City. Thomas is studying the efficacy of policies that seek to make college available in various cultural and socioeconomic settings.

One of his most interesting finds so far is that the college aspirations of many students in disadvantaged high schools hangs by the thread of a single adviser. At poorer schools that buck the trend and send a lot of kids to college, its maybe one, two or three counselors that are orienting them toward college, Thomas said. It’s comforting that a few people can make a difference.

Link: It Takes a Counselor, Not a Village.

Source: [Dan Mitchell’s Teachnology Blog]