Investigating GEAR-Up College Readiness Program's Influence on Postsecondary Decisions of Rural Hispanic Youth

This qualitative case study investigated how the GEAR-Up college readiness program influenced the postsecondary decisions of Hispanic students who participated in the GEAR-Up program for the recommended six-year period in a rural school district in Texas. It was not known how long-term participation in the GEAR-Up program at a rural school facilitated social capital, as well as how that social capital influenced Hispanic students to enroll in postsecondary education. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore how students and staff members in a rural school perceived that long term participation in the GEAR-Up program facilitated social capital and influenced postsecondary decisions of Hispanic students. The theoretical foundation for this study was social capital theory. The participants in the study included 21 former students and five staff members who participated in the program from 2008-2013. The findings confirmed three practices for enhancing family social capital. The most prevalent practice for enhancing family social capital was financial aid assistance. Financial aid assistance encompassed guiding the parents through the process of applying for financial aid and scholarships. The remaining two practices found to enhance family social capital were forming relationships with parents and formal contact with parents. Five practices were confirmed as enhancing school social capital. The most prevalent practice for enhancing school social capital was college and career counseling. The remaining four practices confirmed as enhancing school social capital conducive for enrollment in postsecondary education were (in order of prevalence in the data): assistance filling out college applications, tutoring, sponsoring trips, and academic advising.