First-Generation College Students Bibliography

Ishitani, T. T. (2003). A longitudinal approach to assessing attrition behavior among first-generation students: Time-varying effects of pre-college characteristics. Research in higher education, 44(4), 433-449.

Ishitani (2003) conducted a longitudinal study involving students whose parents never went to school. The study investigated the attrition aspects of these first generation students over time trying to find how does being first generation student affects their attrition at college studies. Ishitani found that first generation students have a higher dropout rate over time compared to other students. The most interesting finding that is of high significance to the study of the first generation students that Ishitani’s longitudinal investigation came up with was that risk of attrition among first year, first generation students was 71% higher than students whose parents were college educated, while controlling the variables like race, gender, previous GPA, and family income.

Rendon, L. I. (1995). Facilitating Retention and Transfer for First Generation Students in Community Colleges.

The research report Rendon (1995) published by National Center on Postsecondary Teaching, Learning, and Assessment, University Park presents critical highlights on alarming attrition rates among non-traditional students studying in community colleges. Findings of this study significant to the research of first generation college students are that there are two critical phases which affects students’ attrition rates i.e. making the transition to college and making connections in the college. Moreover, the study highlights that making the transition to college is especially difficult for those who are the first in their family to go to college because of their changing identities, different perceptions, leaving old friends, breaking family codes of unity and loyalty and living between two worlds. Results of the study are quite supporting of the previous source discussed above.