Supporting Students on the Right PATH in Catholic Schools

ABSTRACT Low‐income, first‐generation students can benefit from programs designed to reduce the college access opportunity gap. This paper describes the PATH program, operating in two Catholic grade schools in the Southwest in partnership with the University of Notre Dame. The PATH program includes a 5‐week summer experience and a course during the school year for each of the years in grades 6–8 focused on developing noncognitive skills. Surveys administered at the end of the summer experience and at the end of each school year showed that students perceive improved perseverance, school valuation, study skills, and sense of efficacy. Findings are consistent with the conceptual model of the program based on expectancy‐value theory of motivation.