Astin, Helen S., et al. CHICANOS IN HIGHER EDUCATION: PROGRESS AND ATTAINMENT. Higher Education Research Inst., Inc., Los Angeles, Calif. Nov 1981. 179 p. (ED226690)

The status of Chicanos in U.S. higher education was studied as part of an investigation of four disadvantaged racial/ethnic minorities. Attention was directed to: recent rates of educational access and attainment and factors influencing educational outcomes; trends in choice of major fields and career plans; representation in various fields; perspectives and employment experience of Chicano faculty members; demographic characteristics of Chicanos; and features of educational institutions and programs affecting the progress of Chicanos. A historical overview includes the origins of the Chicano Southwest. Data were obtained from a 9-year Cooperative Institutional Research Program study of 1971 freshmen and from surveys of Chicano educators and Ford Foundation Fellows. Findings include the following: the high school attrition rate for Chicanos ranges between 45-50 percent; in 1971, about two in five Chicanos entered college immediately after high school; from one-fourth to one-third completed a baccalaureate; and their rate of doctorate attainment is substantially lower than that of whites. Recommendations are offered for precollegiate education, community colleges, support services, financial aid, bilingualism, and minority women. A classification of major fields is appended. (SW)