Freeman, Kassie. 1997. <em>Increasing African Americans&#8218; Participation in Higher Education: African American High School Students&#8218; Perspectives.</em> Journal of Higher Education 68(5): 523&#8212;550.<br />
<br />
Freeman's study examines how 70 African-American high school students attending a cross section of school types (inner-city, suburban, magnet, and private schools) in five cities (Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C.) perceive the barriers to college facing African-American students. Students report two types of barriers, the first being economic, such as not being able to afford college or fearing an insufficient income after completing college. The second type of barrier is psychological, involving intimidation, lack of hope, and the feeling that college is not a realistic option. In response to these barriers, the respondents offer four possible solutions to increase African Americans' participation in higher education: improve the physical/financial capital of schools, provide motivated teachers and counselors as information channels, create strong college aspirations, and change high school curriculum to emphasize African-American cultural awareness. Freeman concludes that the assistance of African-American students in developing solutions that would increase their participation in postsecondary education would be enlightening to policy makers and empowering to the students involved.