Date of Award
6-4-2025
Document Type
Non Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Education
Department
Education
Program
Educational Leadership
Capstone Instructor
Dr. Oluwatoyin Akinde Fakuajo
Second Reader
Dr. Tosca Grimm
Keywords
achievement gaps, college and career readiness, educational equity low-income, urban high school
Abstract
Low-income urban students in the United States exhibit limited college and career readiness opportunities (Yavuz et al., 2019). College preparation coursework and career training in low-income urban secondary settings are essential to creating inclusivity in education. The disparities of marginalized students in these institutions highlight the urgency for educational leaders to effectively produce the next generation of student achievement. This meta-analysis secondary research paper examined the best practices for educational leaders to ensure college and career readiness opportunities are being implemented for low-income urban high school students. When students have access to college readiness materials, their scholastic goals can be achieved through exposure to academic and instructional rigor, thus increasing postsecondary capital. The study is particularly significant given that urban students from high-poverty schools often need systematic approaches that educational leaders must implement to uplift the opportunity gap. The potential benefit of this research is to fully realize what students in low-income urban areas can achieve if systems and practices are run with fidelity to enhance their education. Consequently, this research seeks to challenge traditional teaching strategies and advocate for curricular reforms that better support diverse urban student populations' cultural and intellectual needs, ultimately aiming to strengthen college readiness and long-term career opportunities.