YOUNG MEN OF COLOR

Overview

In the United States, young men of color (YMOC) face unique challenges affecting their successes in secondary school and their abilities to get to and through college toward a living- wage career1. Many are disproportionately impacted by ineffective assessment and placement into college developmental coursework. In fact, 55% of those who enroll in college are placed into courses that are three to four levels below college-level. Of those students, only 15% actually complete the remedial courses. ERP is engaged in research funded by College Futures Foundation to identify opportunities and challenges that exist for these young men along the educational pipeline -- specifically in the transition from high school to and through postsecondary education. ERP has partnered with The Education Trust – West on this work, focusing on research to identify and share policies and practices that remove barriers and increase access to higher education for California’s young men of color. The research is critical in supporting increased college readiness, improved college placement and completion, and increased career-readiness.

Young Men of Color Data Element Dictionary

Research Brief

Click here to view our research brief outlining key findings from the study. The brief reviews outcomes of the research to date which focused on students’ transitions from high school to community colleges, subsequent completion of associate degrees, transfers to four-year universities and baccalaureate attainment. It details an analysis and investigation that includes a broader assessment of important transition points along the K-12 to college pipeline to identify bright spots and effective pathways for students.

Success Factors Framework

Through our data research and one-on-one work with high-performing schools and districts, we have created a Success Factors Framework that highlights the themes and actions that consistently lead to successful educational outcomes for young men of color. Click here to view the framework.

About College Futures Foundation

College Futures Foundation operates on the beliefs that a vibrant future for California’s economy and communities requires more bachelor’s degrees, and that every student should have the chance to succeed in college. College Futures works to remove systemic and institutional barriers to college success, enabling students to access the knowledge, financial aid, and other resources they need to earn college degrees and choose their own futures. The foundation aims to chart a new course for student populations who are low-income and have had historically low college success rates by changing policies, practices, systems, and institutions in ways that better support students. Established in 2005, the foundation awards nearly $20 million in grants annually.

Together with its grantees and partners, College Futures works towards more graduates for a thriving California. To learn more, visit collegefutures.org.

1. National Center for Education Statistics, The Condition of Education 2015: See Disparities in Educational Outcomes Among Male Youth. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_tgb.asp.
2. Stoup, G. 2015. Using Data to Identify Emergent Inequities and the Effective Practices to Address Them. Presentation to the 2015 Strengthening Student Success Conference.