Professional School Counselor Perceptions of Systemic Barriers Affecting Latino Students: Implications for Socially Just Preparation and Practice

Facets of Career Development in a New Immigrant Destination: Exploring the Associations Among School Climate, Belief in Self, School Engagement, and Academic Achievement

“…Perceptions of school safety also have received increased attention as a result of researchers interested in examining factors related to school engagement and academic outcomes (Wang, Chow, Hofkens, & Salmela-Aro, 2015; Wang & Eccles, 2012). Research in districts with high numbers of youth of color can illuminate the voices of those traditionally marginalized who may be in most need of culturally responsive career interventions (Storlie & Toomey, 2016).…”

“…Further identified that Latino/a youth feel less safe at school and are more likely to be recipients of hate-related language because of their ethnicity when compared to their White counterparts. Latino/a youth, in particular, face multiple challenges derived from systemic and institutional oppression, permeating into social, emotional, academic, and career domains (Storlie & Toomey, 2016). Understanding that discrimination related to ethnicity is likely to decrease school engagement (Alfaro et al, 2009), culturally responsive interventions by school counselors and career development professionals are necessary to support school safety among Latino/a students and other racial groups.…”

“…Despite the United States approaching the majority–minority tipping point, individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds (i.e., those who are not White) continue to experience barriers, biases, and prejudice based on their group membership (Toomey & Storlie, 2015; Dovidio, Gluszek, John, Ditlmann, & Lagunes, 2010). Systemic barriers affecting Latinos/as, such as inequalities limiting academic success fostered by socioeconomic status, language, and cultural barriers, are prevalent in today’s schools (Storlie & Toomey, 2016). These barriers directly influence career exploration and aspirations among youth of color (Storlie, Albritton, & Cureton, 2017) and account for the disproportionately low percentage (61.4%) of Latino/as aged 25 or older, having attained a high school diploma compared to their White peers (A.…”

“…Thus, ethnic discrimination is one factor that may explain why Latino/a youth may report feeling unsafe in their schools. Feeling unsafe in school may contribute to poor academic outcomes, such as school dropout, which ultimately impact the academic trajectories and career aspirations of many marginalized youth (Storlie & Toomey, 2016; Storlie, 2016). This study empirically tested a comprehensive model that examined whether perceived school safety contributed to academic achievement via adolescents’ belief in self and academic engagement and further examined whether this process differed by ethnicity (i.e., Latino/a compared to non-Latino/a ethnicity).…”

Potential Stressors of Undocumented Latinx Youth: Implications and Recommendations for School Counselors

“…Nonetheless, given the substantial numbers of undocumented youth attending public schools, school counselors need to be aware of the multiple barriers and risk factors facing undocumented youth. Furthermore, given the uncertainties facing undocumented youth in the United States, school counselors are uniquely positioned to advocate for and support these individuals from an individual, family, and systemic perspective (ASCA, 2014(ASCA, , 2016Chung, Bemak, Ortiz, & Sandoval-Perez, 2008;Ratts, DeKruyf, & Chen-Hayes, 2007;Storlie & Toomey, 2016). We offer the following recommendations and interventions for school counselors working with undocumented Latinx youth.…”