A Review of Programs That Promote Higher Education Access for Underrepresented Students

This review of the research on college access programs between 1997 and 2007 examines: (a) target populations of students served; (b) assumptions and value judgments of researchers and program staff about participants in connection with participants' diverse backgrounds; and (c) views of access held by college access programs, based on analysis of program practices. Very few research studies were published on college access programs, of which the majority focused on racial and ethnic minority students, and only a few focused on students with disabilities. No programs targeted students from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds with disabilities, nor did any studies question college access programs' neglect to target or measure outcomes for minority students with disabilities. In addition to these findings, implications are provided for future policies, practices, and research around college access, as well as for higher educational institutions.