Program Evaluation of a College and Career Center in the Long Beach Unified School District

This program evaluation investigates the effectiveness of a Long Beach Unified School District's High School College and Career Center, focusing on strategies to close ethnicity gaps in College and Career Readiness (CCR). Utilizing surveys, interviews, and focus groups, data was collected from current and past students, parents, and staff at VAPA High School's College and Career Center (CCC). Findings indicate positive perceptions of the CCC's support with students, parents, and staff, and highlighted the College and Career Advisor's (CCA) knowledge, individual counseling sessions, and assistance through the college application process. However, slight variations in perceptions exist, suggesting areas for improvement. Limitations include the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on educational experiences and the generalizability of results to other graduating classes. Relevant research underscores the importance of addressing the unique needs of historically underrepresented students and integrating CCR standards into the K-12 curriculum. The evaluation's significance lies in its potential to inform program improvements and guide future implementations, ultimately enhancing college acceptance rates for minoritized students. This work contributes to ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between White students and minoritized students in accessing and succeeding in post-secondary opportunities. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]