Foster Care Alumni and Higher Education: A Descriptive Study of Post-secondary Achievements of Foster Youth in Texas

Carol, a teen forced into foster care, must learn how to navigate the path/road to postsecondary education. This case follows Carol’s matriculation through high school and the challenges she faces while trying to achieve her dream of going to college. Several challenges Carol encounters are discussed, such as her lack of higher education awareness, her need for tuition assistance, and aging out of foster care. The purpose of this case is to encourage future leaders to enhance opportunities for vulnerable populations, thus, it should be useful for students in education policy, educational administration, and higher education leadership.

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From Scarcity to Abundance: Achieving Quality-Assured Mass Higher Education

Online Learning ◽

10.24059/olj.v15i2.181 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Peter P. Smith

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Knowledge Economy ◽

Good Practice ◽

The United States ◽

The Other ◽

Secondary System ◽

Mass Higher Education ◽

Post Secondary ◽

One Year ◽

The One

The United States is in a bind. On the one hand, we need millions of additional citizens with at least one year of successful post-secondary experience to adapt to the knowledge economy. Both the Gates and Lumina Foundations, and our President, have championed this goal in different ways. On the other hand, we have a post-secondary system that is trapped between rising costs and stagnant effectiveness, seemingly unable to respond effectively to this challenge. This paper analyzes several aspects of this problem, describes changes in the society that create the basis for solutions, and offers several examples from Kaplan University of emerging practice that suggests what good practice might look like in a world where quality-assured mass higher education is the norm.

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From Teen Parent to Student Parent: Latina Mothers’ Persistence in Higher Education

Journal of Hispanic Higher Education ◽

10.1177/1538192720980308 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 153819272098030

Author(s):

Giselle Emilia Navarro-Cruz ◽

Brianne A. Dávila ◽

Claudia Kouyoumdjian

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Adolescent Mothers ◽

Transition To Parenthood ◽

Social Experiences ◽

Latina Mothers ◽

Post Secondary ◽

Teen Parent ◽

Academic And Social Experiences ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Persistence In Higher Education

Less than half of adolescent mothers graduate from high school and fewer obtain a post-secondary degree. The purpose of this study is to understand how Latina mothers who experienced childbirth during adolescence transition to parenthood and higher education. We conducted 13 in-depth interviews with Latina mothers enrolled in higher education. We found that Latina mothers’ persistence in higher education is influenced by psychosocial factors, initial commitments, academic and social experiences in college, and final commitments.

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Aging out of foster care: The experiences of former foster youth who successfully navigated this transition

Developmental Child Welfare ◽

10.1177/25161032211019411 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 251610322110194

Author(s):

Margot Hedenstrom

Keyword(s):

Foster Care ◽

Foster Youth ◽

Life Experiences ◽

Study Data ◽

Aging Out ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Former Foster Youth ◽

Making A Difference ◽

Human Costs ◽

Poor Outcomes

Foster youth face high risks and poor outcomes after aging out of care resulting in great economic and human costs to society. The purpose of the study was to describe life experiences of children aging out of the foster care system from the perspectives of adults who have successfully navigated this transition. Their life experiences during this period provided meaningful information for this study which helped to identify themes. Their perceptions of the periods during and after their transitions were explored to investigate supportive relationships, education, and workplace stability. Phenomenology was used to describe the experiences of nine young adults who had aged out of foster care. Participant ages ranged from 20 to 25 years old. Audiotaped semi-structured interviews were conducted for the study. Data analysis was ongoing throughout data collection. Four themes were identified: (1) “Facing a transition”; (2) “Depending on adults for help”; (3) “Making a difference for others”; and (4) “Moving forward with my life.” These four themes highlighted the participants’ experiences as they aged out of foster care. This study contributes to our understanding of the life experiences of former foster youth who are successful after the transition out of foster care. Recommendations for practice and research are identified.

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Effects of Enhanced Foster Care on the Long-term Physical and Mental Health of Foster Care Alumni

Yearbook of Psychiatry and Applied Mental Health ◽

10.1016/s0084-3970(08)79276-4 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2009 ◽

pp. 63-64

Author(s):

A. Mack

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Foster Care ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Foster Care Alumni

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The University Rock Ensemble: Popular music learning and drumming in higher education

Journal of Popular Music Education ◽

10.1386/jpme_00060_1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 243-262

Author(s):

Haley J. Nutt

Keyword(s):

Higher Education ◽

Popular Music ◽

Ensemble Learning ◽

North American ◽

Local Community ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Critical Assessment ◽

Music Learning ◽

American Higher Education ◽

The University

This article provides a descriptive study of the FSU Rock Ensemble to demonstrate the value of providing inclusive popular music-based ensemble learning and opportunities in higher education. Beginning with an autoethnographic study of my experiences as a drummer in – and eventually director of – the non-auditioned ensemble, followed by a consideration of the attitudes articulated by several other drummers who recently participated in the ensemble, I analyse how musicians learn a traditionally non-academic music in an academic space. I conclude with a critical assessment of challenges that the group faced, with the hope that such considerations are useful for universities interested in establishing similar ensembles. Overall, the inclusive nature of the Rock Ensemble facilitated interactions that I argue are advantageous within the current climate of North American higher education, allowing students, drummers and non-drummers alike, unprecedented opportunities to perform music they love, forge new relationships and engage with the local community.

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