Kassie Freeman 
African Americans and College Choice 
The Influence of Family and School

Acknowledging the disparity between the number of African American high school students who aspire toward higher education and the number who actually attend, this book uncovers factors that influence African American students’ decisions regarding college. Kassie Freeman brings new insights to the current body of research on African Americans and higher education by examining the impact that family, school, community, and home have in the decision-making process. She explores specific factors that contribute to a student’s predisposition toward higher education, including gender, economics, and high school curriculum, and seeks to bridge the gap in understanding why aspiration does not immediately translate into participation. Educators and policy makers interested in increasing African American students’ participation in higher education will benefit from the exploration of this paradox.

Table of Content

List of Illustrations

Foreword by M. Christopher Brown II

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction: The Puzzle of College Aspirations versus Attendance

Part One: Familial and Individual Influences

1. The Influence of Family
2. Turning Point: When Decisions Are Made
3. Gender Issues: The College Choice Process of African American Females and Males
4. Economic Expectation and College Choice

Part Two: School Influences

5. Curriculum Issues and Choice
6. Channeling Long and Wrong
7. Decision Making by High School Type: High Schools Successful in Channeling
8. Selection of Higher Education Institution Type: HBCU or PWI?

Part Three: Putting the Puzzle Together

9. Students Offer Solutions
10. The Case for Expanding the College Choice Model

Appendix: Design of the Study

References

Index

About the author

Kassie Freeman is Dean and Professor of Education at Dillard University. She is the editor of
African American Culture and Heritage in Higher Education Research and Practice.