| The design of this qualitative collective case study was to investigate factors that influence rural high school students to attend a postsecondary institution. This study used three groups of students, which consisted of 15 current juniors or senior. Using face-to-face focus group interviews as well as observations and a collection of artifacts, data were collected to indicate if certain factors influenced rural high school students towards postsecondary enrollment. Data results indicated awareness, guidance, expectations, choices, excitement, and fear were all common themes throughout the study. The implications of the research suggested rural high schools must identify factors that promote college enrollment after high school and incorporate such factors in order to assist their students and parents as students decide on attending a postsecondary institution. |
