High School Graduates From Low-Income Families Report taking a Gap Year Due to COVID-19: STUDY
Tags: Equity, Research, Gap Year, Education, Access

High School Graduates From Low-Income Families Report taking a Gap Year Due to COVID-19: STUDY

We surveyed 300+ high school grads in Washington State. More students from lower income and/or BIPOC families reported delaying postsecondary enrollment to join the workforce compared to their white and wealthier peers. Foundry10 Follow Dec 15, 2020 · 3 min read

By Jennifer Rubin

As U.S. universities transition to remote learning for the 2020–2021 academic year, many students have adjusted their educational plans due to the coronavirus pandemic. Some students intended to delay enrollment (West, 2020), while others have selected a university closer to home due to financial concerns (Hartocollis, 2020). In Washington State, many colleges and universities have shifted most of their classes online and closed a variety of services (e.g., libraries, student learning centers) on campus. Especially for those starting college for the first time, these changes have left many students with questions about their future opportunities as they begin their journey in higher education.

Research has found that roughly 1 in 6 high school seniors in the U.S. reported that they intended to change their plans to attend college in the fall because of the pandemic (Art&Science Group, 2020), with graduates from lower-income backgrounds experiencing different barriers than their wealthier peers (Art&Science Group, 2020). Of those students who intended to change their plans, 16 percent say that they will take a gap year (i.e., a semester or year off before enrolling in school). The decision to delay enrollment compares to fewer than 3 percent of first-year students who previously took off a year or more before starting college, according to a 2018 report by the Higher Education Research Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Changes in educational plans raises questions about the types of barriers that first-year students face when deciding to delay or enroll in university for the 2020–2021 academic year. For example, due to many families’ precarious financial situation, low-income students are significantly at risk

with navigating COVID-19’s impact on education — particularly if they don’t have enough money for an enrollment deposit or if they don’t have access to remote learning tools. With COVID-19 rapidly changing the educational landscape, more information is needed regarding first-year student

experiences with transitioning to (or delaying) college as well as barriers in furthering their education.

The current research examined the impact of COVID-19 on Washington State high school graduates’ intentions to attend college in the 2020–2021 academic year. We assessed plans for college attendance,

barriers to college attendance, and students’ sense of identity as they transition to young adulthood in the COVID-19 era. Additionally, we assessed potential equity differences in students’ educational plans (e.g., income, race/ethnicity, first generation student status)

We Address Five Central Questions in this Study:

How has COVID-19 impacted students’ educational plans for the

2020–2021 academic year?

2020–2021 academic year? What concerns do students have regarding COVID-19 and

college attendance?

college attendance? Did students take a gap year for the 2020–2021 academic year?

If so, what are their plans for gap year activities?

If so, what are their plans for gap year activities? What are barriers to remote learning in higher education?

How has COVID-19 impacted students’ emotions and sense of

identity?

Read the Results here: FOUNDRY10 GAP YEAR 2020 STUDY