ZIP codes and beyond:  Inequality in college preparation in Colorado Springs high schools

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/0z708z07r

Abstract

Seven school districts in Colorado Springs, Colorado have very different levels of wealth and racial diversity of their students, and these students have different levels of access to college preparation materials. While some literature suggests that ZIP codes can be destiny for a student’s education and future career, this research finds that other aspects of schools can shape people’s futures as well. The research data pushes back on ZIP code being destiny and shows that someone’s future is shaped by many different factors and that people from the same ZIP code have many different experiences with educational support. Overall, schools in northern districts in Colorado Springs are more wealthy and better support students with college prep material than schools in the south, but some students in those districts reported not receiving essential support. Support for students in southern schools is less widespread, but many students reported significant support for college preparation as well. Many alumni from diverse schools in southern Colorado Springs reported diversity as a strength of the schools and that they were happy they attended the school they did. All schools fell short in support for access to financial aid.

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