Tara Bahl | City University of New York/ Guttman Community College (original) (raw)
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Papers & Published Reports by Tara Bahl
Theory, Research, and Action in Urban Education, May 2015
College access practitioners in New York City have long described the existence of a “guidance ga... more College access practitioners in New York City have long described the existence of a “guidance gap” in reference to the uneven landscape of post-secondary access and planning that currently exists in urban high schools. This guidance gap in college counseling has roots in local education policy that privileges accountability measures over providing meaningful support to help schools reach the intended goals of college access. Through policy analysis, literature review, and qualitative analysis of twenty-three interviews conducted with students, teachers, principals, community-based organization staff, and college access experts, this article shows how high-stakes accountability policies force many under-resourced schools to either inordinately rely on guidance counselors, or outsource the work to outside organizations. The article explores the challenges that come with these strategies and provides a number of recommendations to rethink the post-secondary planning process that positions students at the center.
This report documents CARA's 2013 Youth Leadership for College Access Summer Institute. Over 60 y... more This report documents CARA's 2013 Youth Leadership for College Access Summer Institute. Over 60 young people from across New York City participated in a three-week intensive training to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work within their schools or community-based organizations to help their peers through the post-secondary planning process. Key findings: Youth Leaders developed a clear understanding of what their roles would be during the academic year working with their peers. Youth Leaders gained the knowledge and language needed to talk about college -for themselves and for others -in sophisticated and nuanced ways. Youth Leaders established a strong collective cross-site identity, resulting in their desire to continue collaboration in meaningful ways during the 2013-2014 school year.
The Center for New York City Affairs is dedicated to advancing innovative public policies that st... more The Center for New York City Affairs is dedicated to advancing innovative public policies that strengthen neighborhoods, support families and reduce urban poverty. Our tools include rigorous analysis; journalistic research; candid public dialogue with stakeholders; and strategic planning with government officials, nonprofit practitioners and community residents.
Papers by Tara Bahl
#CritEdPol: Journal of Critical Education Policy Studies at Swarthmore College, 2021
As high school college counselor caseloads increase, they have less time for consistent one-on-on... more As high school college counselor caseloads increase, they have less time for consistent one-on-one counseling to support students with college planning. Thus, for many students – particularly those in large or under-resourced schools – the process is depersonalized, focused on simply distributing information. Drawing on narrative and ethnographic research, this paper explores a unique program that positions young people as paid college access professionals in their schools. Findings show that these students – Youth College Counselors (YCC) – make college planning a more student-centered, meaningful experience. Strategies YCCs engage with to support peers are examined to shine a light on how YCCs use their unique position inside schools to rethink college planning. YCCs resist a dominant narrative of young people, particularly those who live in marginalized communities, as objects onto which policy happens, and instead serve as school change actors. Findings suggest that high schools...
Vijay and Christine Bahl, my loving and supportive parents, and my musician-scholar-brother, Rish... more Vijay and Christine Bahl, my loving and supportive parents, and my musician-scholar-brother, Rishi Bahl. My incredible partner, John-Paul Quattrone, whose patient love carried me through it all, and our sweet Ginny.
Theory, Research, and Action in Urban Education, May 2015
College access practitioners in New York City have long described the existence of a “guidance ga... more College access practitioners in New York City have long described the existence of a “guidance gap” in reference to the uneven landscape of post-secondary access and planning that currently exists in urban high schools. This guidance gap in college counseling has roots in local education policy that privileges accountability measures over providing meaningful support to help schools reach the intended goals of college access. Through policy analysis, literature review, and qualitative analysis of twenty-three interviews conducted with students, teachers, principals, community-based organization staff, and college access experts, this article shows how high-stakes accountability policies force many under-resourced schools to either inordinately rely on guidance counselors, or outsource the work to outside organizations. The article explores the challenges that come with these strategies and provides a number of recommendations to rethink the post-secondary planning process that positions students at the center.
This report documents CARA's 2013 Youth Leadership for College Access Summer Institute. Over 60 y... more This report documents CARA's 2013 Youth Leadership for College Access Summer Institute. Over 60 young people from across New York City participated in a three-week intensive training to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work within their schools or community-based organizations to help their peers through the post-secondary planning process. Key findings: Youth Leaders developed a clear understanding of what their roles would be during the academic year working with their peers. Youth Leaders gained the knowledge and language needed to talk about college -for themselves and for others -in sophisticated and nuanced ways. Youth Leaders established a strong collective cross-site identity, resulting in their desire to continue collaboration in meaningful ways during the 2013-2014 school year.
The Center for New York City Affairs is dedicated to advancing innovative public policies that st... more The Center for New York City Affairs is dedicated to advancing innovative public policies that strengthen neighborhoods, support families and reduce urban poverty. Our tools include rigorous analysis; journalistic research; candid public dialogue with stakeholders; and strategic planning with government officials, nonprofit practitioners and community residents.
#CritEdPol: Journal of Critical Education Policy Studies at Swarthmore College, 2021
As high school college counselor caseloads increase, they have less time for consistent one-on-on... more As high school college counselor caseloads increase, they have less time for consistent one-on-one counseling to support students with college planning. Thus, for many students – particularly those in large or under-resourced schools – the process is depersonalized, focused on simply distributing information. Drawing on narrative and ethnographic research, this paper explores a unique program that positions young people as paid college access professionals in their schools. Findings show that these students – Youth College Counselors (YCC) – make college planning a more student-centered, meaningful experience. Strategies YCCs engage with to support peers are examined to shine a light on how YCCs use their unique position inside schools to rethink college planning. YCCs resist a dominant narrative of young people, particularly those who live in marginalized communities, as objects onto which policy happens, and instead serve as school change actors. Findings suggest that high schools...
Vijay and Christine Bahl, my loving and supportive parents, and my musician-scholar-brother, Rish... more Vijay and Christine Bahl, my loving and supportive parents, and my musician-scholar-brother, Rishi Bahl. My incredible partner, John-Paul Quattrone, whose patient love carried me through it all, and our sweet Ginny.