This study shows the importance of looking at different parental education levels rather than just first generation vs non first generation. Characteristics of students vary when comparing students within and across these multiple parental education level groups (across the five logistic regressions, no similarities were seen). 

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

-  Background & Purpose
-  Research Questions
-  Methods
-  Findings
-  Conclusion

Understanding Students’ Parental Education Beyond First-Generation Status

Lee, J. J., Sax, L. J., Kim, K. A., & Hagedorn, L. S. (2004). Understanding Students’ Parental Education Beyond First-Generation Status. Community College Review, 32(1), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/009155210403200101

- Previous studies have shown the differences between first-generation (no parents that went to college) and non-first generation students with a very dichotomous perspective. 
- Several barriers that first generation students have are well documented, but the reasons for the obstacles that are faced are less known. 
- Since not much is known about how student characteristics vary across different levels of parental education, this study has the goal of understanding how student views and experiences are different in regards to their generational status. This means that this study wants to look not just at the first generation versus non-first generation strict distinction (parents having attended college or not) but rather look at the varying levels of parent education. 

Understanding Students’ Parental Education Beyond First-Generation Status: Background & Purpose

-  This study aims to explore the experiences and views that community college students have across multiple parental education levels. 
- The main research question is: 
    - "How do student views and experiences differ by generational status?"
-  The sub-questions are: 
    - What are some differences among students of different parental education levels by income? 
    - What are some differences by race? 
    - Which experiences and views of students uniquely reflect their parental education levels?

Understanding Students’ Parental Education Beyond First-Generation Status: Research Questions

-  Sample 
-  Variable of Interest
-  Analyses
-  Findings

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