Barriers to College Attainment: Lessons from Chicago

This paper examines the the relationship between high school preparation, college choice and postsecondary outcomes for Chicago Public School (CPS) students in an effort to improve educational attainment. In the report, the authors discuss 1) the gap between student aspirations and actual attainment of a college degree; 2) how academic qualifications can shape a students' access to four-year colleges; 3) whether students have access to the information and guidance needed to apply to and attend a four year college; 4) the role of college search and choice in attainment of a degree, and 5) strategies that policymakers can use based on the CPS example to close this "aspiration-attainment gap."