The Role of Support Systems and Belongingness in Shaping High School Students' Post-Secondary Intentions


Alexandra Pulchny, McMaster University

While many factors influence high-school students’ PSE decisions, the role of support systems like family, peers, and teachers on students’ sense of belonging and intentions to pursue PSE is often overlooked. To investigate this interaction, we conducted a quantitative analysis of the Toronto District School Board 2016/17 Student Census and considered race, gender, and birthplace as indicators of students’ likelihood of developing a positive sense of belonging. Specifically, we investigated whether support systems foster a greater sense of belonging and thus a greater likelihood of intending to pursue PSE or if estrangement negatively impacts students’ PSE intentions.

Non-presenting author: Karen Robson, McMaster University

This paper will be presented at the following session: