Counselors Biased in Admissions Recommendations?

It seems that U.S. high school counselors may be showing bias in the higher education recommendations they make for students of color and students from low-income households. Or, at least that's what a new study appears to indicate. (See The Link Between High School Reform and College Access for Low-Income and Minority Youth, 2005.)

According to this study, U.S. high school counselors direct minority and low-income students towards military service or vocational school/college enrollment at much higher rates than they do non-minorities and students from higher income households. Counselors, the researchers state, also direct these students away from university attendance--especially ivy league universities. It's disconcerting that some counselors--however few they may be--may still focus on a limited set of options for students they feel have social or economic "challenges." Every student, regardless of color or income, deserves the opportunity to hear about the full range of options available to him/her after high school. It's impossible for students to make informed decisions about their lives without first knowing all of their options!

Why do those who are supposedly trained to counsel and advise purposely place limits on the information they provide to students? I don't know. It certainly doesn't make sense to me. What I wonder is, does this same type of advising pattern hold true in other developed countries? It would be interesting to find out.

Until next time!

Lynn Byrne