Qualitative study explores how first-generation Latine students use cultural and social capital in community colleges, suggesting new approaches to reduce inequality.
Key Points
This research aims to understand how first-generation Latine students utilize cultural and social capital in community colleges and introduce the concept of adaptive capital.
Conducted semi-structured interviews with current community college students and those who have transferred.
Employed Yosso's theory of Community Cultural Wealth to frame the analysis.
Identified new form of capital called adaptive capital relevant to students' experiences.
Highlighted the presence of multiple forms of cultural and social capital that students leverage for academic success.
Demonstrated the importance of recognizing adaptive capital to address systemic inequalities in education.
Argued that acknowledging diverse capitals can transform educational policies and student support.