The Future of Orange County The Future of Orange County LatinasLatinas

Ana Tadeo, Costa Mesa High School Ana Tadeo, Costa Mesa High School

Julieth Zapata, Costa Mesa High School Julieth Zapata, Costa Mesa High School

Jenny De La Luz, Beckman High SchoolJenny De La Luz, Beckman High School

Yesenia Romero, Costa Mesa High Yesenia Romero, Costa Mesa High School School

Inspiring all girls to be Strong, Smart and Inspiring all girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold!Bold!

OUR FUTURE LATINAS

Orange County Latinas were Orange County Latinas were asked about their future...asked about their future...

61 % envision careers that 61 % envision careers that require a college degree.require a college degree.

For the first time in three For the first time in three years, we have Latinas who years, we have Latinas who want to be,want to be,

ChemistChemist OncologistOncologist Anesthesiologist Anesthesiologist Ultrasound technicianUltrasound technician GynecologistGynecologist

Education plans Education plans after high school:after high school:

52.5

27.5

8.75

6.252.52.5

CCCSUUCPrivateTrade/VocationalWork

Our concern: 60% of girls attending CC will not transfer to a four-year school.

College: Expectations College: Expectations and Concerns and Concerns

90% said their 90% said their parents expect parents expect them to go to them to go to college. college.

90% of Latinas 90% of Latinas want to have the want to have the choice to go to choice to go to college.college.

However, 15% feel However, 15% feel that they don’t that they don’t have this choice.have this choice.

22% list $ as the 22% list $ as the reason.reason.

First Generation? First Generation? 85% 85%

School Support Services 62.5% of Latinas have

met with their counselor 3-4 times

However 92% said that meetings lasted less than 30 min.

Is there a college counselor in your school? Yes - 55%Yes, but haven’t met - 16%Not sure - 22%

SO WHAT?• Girls don’t have enough time to talk with counselors

• They’re not aware or haven’t sought out the resources available to them.

Future GoalsWho are Latinas talking to about their goals?

72% - Counselors

25% - College counselor

55% - Teacher

50% - Parents

32% - HAVE NOT TALKED TO ANYONE

5510

2511

24

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Counselor

FA Counselor

Teachers

Parents/Family

Own research

Where do you get financial aid information from?

Latinas are talking to their parents, but is 50% enough???

- They are still not getting enough information or school resources

College Preparation

Will you be completing A-G requirements?

56.25

12.5 10 8.75

0102030405060708090

100

Yes

No

don't knowwhat are they

don't know ifthey've taken it

A-G courses: should they be mandatory for all students?

64% answered YES 10% answered NO 26% aren’t sure.

If A-G makes students eligible to enter a college/university, why do 36% OC Latinas not want to or

aren’t sure about making A-G mandatory? Are they uninformed or are they not prepared to take

those classes?

How prepared are Latinas?

College Entrance Exams 31% have taken the PSAT 51% have taken the SAT. 33% have taken another exam.

31.25% have not taken any exam.

Why?

1. “I haven’t received any information about the exams”

2. “I can’t afford it”

AP Course enrollment:57.5% of Latinas are enrolled41.25% are not

Latinas' GPAs

29%

30%

28%

9% 4%

4.0 - 3.53.4 - 3.0 2.9 - 2.52.4 - 2.0Below 2.0

If 51% have taken SAT, 87% have a 2.5 or higher GPA and 57% are in AP classes, then why are 42% only

going to a four-year school?

Elections 2008 Are you eligible to

vote? YES 55% NO 40%

Presidential CandidatesClinton 76%

Obama 70%

McCain 47%

A good president should be: Responsible, honest, experienced, determined, unbiased, compassionate, problem solver, Just, Courageous

Do you foresee a Latina president in your lifetime? YES - 63% NO - 37%

Issues Important to Latinas1. Immigration

2. War3. Healthcare4. Economy

5. Environment & Job creation

Money and the lack of information are reasons why Latinas are not going to college. Why is EDUCATION NOT a top 5 issue when it comes to the 2008 Elections!!!

RecommendationsLEGISLATORS

Make college more affordable (keep fees low or provide more grants)

Don’t make legal status a requirement to obtain financial aid

Provide more counselors to serve the needs of overpopulated schools

SCHOOLS Longer meetings between counselor and students More encouragement for Hispanic participation in school activities like ASB or science clubsHave mandatory meetings with parents to inform them of A-G