A single case study

A single case study design was used to explore college and career readiness (CCR) experiences, perspectives, and standards in one Title I elementary school in Brooklyn, New York. Given that much of the research and practice literature related to CCR focuses on middle and high school, the goal of the study was to better understand how elementary educators in a Title I school can also foster students' college and career readiness. The purpose of this study was to explore how Title I elementary educators understand and support college and career readiness and find areas to improve CCR in elementary school. The questions explored in this study are: (a) How does Title I funding support CCR in elementary education? (b) How does one Title I elementary school in New York City support CCR? (c) What can Title I elementary educators do better to improve college and career readiness? Data was collected from five individual interviews, one focus group interview with five participants, and document analysis using a school-wide observable notes and a checklist related to the six elementary components of CCR counseling by the National Office for School Counselor Advocacy. These findings concluded that elementary educators were unaware of how Title I funds supported CCR at their school. The elementary educators at the research site supported CCR skills by setting high academic expectations and by integrating SEL in academic lesson plans. To improve CCR in Title I elementary education, the findings also concluded that educators wanted more non-academic extracurricular and enrichment activities and programs, and SEL integration into the school's schedule. For this Title I elementary public charter school in NYC, the researcher made four major recommendations: (a) engage elementary educators and other stakeholders in conversations around ways Title I funding is used for CCR, (b) provide Title I elementary educators with professional training around understanding and implementing CCR, (c) implement non-academic enrichment and extracurricular activities and programs around career exploration, and (d) integrate soft-skills in elementary education using elements of SEL and CCR.