Increasing Latina/o students' baccaulaureate attainment: A focus on retention
(Leticia Oseguera, Angela Locks, & Irene I. Vega)
The growth in the Latina/o population has increased their representation in postsecondary institutions. Yet, merely 10% of all Hispanic Americans ages 24-64 currently graduate from four-year institutions (National Center for Education Statistics quoted in President’s Advisory Commission, 2003; Solórzano & Yosso, 2000). Notwithstanding years of retention efforts, graduation rates of Latinas/os remain alarmingly low and Latinas/os remain among the least likely racial/ethnic groups to complete their bachelor’s degrees (Astin & Oseguera, 2003; Berkner, He, & Cattaldi, 2002; Fry, 2002). The purpose of this review is threefold. First, we go beyond traditional theory and highlight those scholars who shed new information on retention for Latina/o students. Second, we summarize factors that affect Latina/o students in particular. Third, promising practices for effectively retaining Latina/o students at two- and four-year higher education institutions are highlighted.
