Pallares, Carla Vanessa, authorChavez, Ernest, advisorBanning, James, committee memberRickard, Kathy, committee memberStallones, Lorann, committee member2007-01-032007-01-032011http://hdl.handle.net/10217/48163Latinos are the largest and most rapidly growing minority group in the United States. They also represent the fastest growing segment of the school-age population. The number of dropouts in the Latino population is significantly higher than other major ethnic groups. Latino/a students face discriminatory barriers within the school system such as overrepresentation in special education, lowered teacher expectations, and harsher disciplinary consequences than Non-Hispanic, White students. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions, opinions, and recommendations to help improve Latino/a students' retention in high school. Interviews were conducted with middle-school staff. Qualitative document analysis was used to allow new opinions and recommendations to be found that could help increase Latino/a student retention in high schools. Multiple factors such as low parental involvement, few role models, and undocumented status were found to affect Latino/a students' participation in school. Latino/a students' self perceptions also seem to influence their school engagement. Changing policy and involving all the stakeholders involved in education are recommendations to improve Latino/a student engagement and school retention.born digitaldoctoral dissertationsengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.engagementhigh dropout rateHispanicLatinosText