The aim of this study was to determine whether student, parent, and peer engagement factors that contributed to at-risk students' success in graduating from high school continued to be important in making the transition from high school to postsecondary education.
Key findings are as follows.
Parent and peer engagement indicators were especially strong influences on postsecondary enrollment. Parents' educational expectations also exerted a strong influence on whether or not moderate to high-risk teens enrolled in any postsecondary education. The importance that friends attributed to learning activities such as studying and getting good grades had a strong positive effect on whether or not students enrolled in any postsecondary education, but not on whether they enrolled in a 4-year college. Participating in college preparation activities increased the odds of enrolling in postsecondary education. Gathering information about financial aid and talking to individuals about aid increased the odds of enrolling in any postsecondary education, while getting help with preparing for entrance exams and the college application process increased the odds of enrolling in a 4-year college.