The college dropout rate in the United States has been decreasing in the last 20 years, however even today, less than two-thirds of those that attend 4-year universities will graduate with a degree.  Even more alarming is that students from low-income areas are 7.6 times less likely to graduate than their “well-to-do” counterparts, let alone make it past their second year.  In this discussion, I will be examining some of the key factors that exist in or attribute to the low-income household; discussing the historical factors that have created and led to the over-expansion of urban areas, and highlighting the financial disparities that exist within public school funding today.   Finally, with a focus on low-income, single-parent households, I will begin a discussion into the plans, resources, and materials necessary to create scaffolding at the secondary level to support first-generation college-minded students, and their families, in preparation for attending and ultimately graduating from a 4-year university.    

** The views contained and comments made are my own and do not reflect the opinions or policies of USC Rossier School of Education, its affiliates nor any other entity, employer, or person.