educational aspirations meaning

Example sentences educational aspirations

While the transfer rates in this study declined, a correlation between positive educational aspirations and transfer success was noted.

Living in a high-poverty or disadvantaged neighborhood have been shown to negatively influence educational aspirations and consequently attainment.

High educational aspirations were encouraged from an early age.

This may increase the chances of offending because low educational attainment, a low attachment to school, and low educational aspirations are all risk factors for offending in themselves.

Definition of 'aspiration' aspiration

Definition of 'educational' educational

Cobuild collocations educational aspirations.

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• educational age
• educational aim
• educational aspect
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• educational assessment
• educational attainment
• educational background
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educational aspirations

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(Definition of educational and aspiration from the Cambridge English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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a group of families, especially in Scotland, who originally came from the same family and have the same name

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• Definition of educational
• Definition of aspiration
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Sociology of Education

Study guides for every class, that actually explain what's on your next test, educational aspiration, from class:.

Educational aspiration refers to the hopes and ambitions that individuals hold regarding their educational achievements and future career paths. These aspirations are influenced by various factors, including personal beliefs, cultural expectations, and social environments, and play a crucial role in shaping an individual's educational outcomes and opportunities.

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5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

• Educational aspirations are often higher among students with supportive family backgrounds, as encouragement and resources can positively influence ambition.
• Research shows that students from disadvantaged backgrounds may have lower educational aspirations due to limited access to information and role models.
• The gap between a student's educational aspirations and their actual attainment can lead to feelings of frustration and disillusionment.
• Cultural values play a significant role in shaping educational aspirations, as some cultures prioritize higher education more than others.
• Educational aspirations can evolve over time based on changing circumstances, experiences, and exposure to new ideas or opportunities.

Review Questions

• Family background plays a significant role in shaping educational aspirations. Supportive family environments that encourage education often lead to higher aspirations among students. Parents who value education tend to communicate these values to their children, providing both emotional support and resources that foster ambition. Conversely, students from families with limited educational backgrounds may lack role models and encouragement, resulting in lower aspirations.
• There is often a noticeable gap between educational aspirations and actual attainment, especially among students from different socio-economic backgrounds. Students from affluent families typically have higher educational aspirations and greater access to resources like tutoring or extracurricular activities, which help them achieve those goals. In contrast, students from low-income families may aspire to higher education but face barriers such as financial constraints or lack of access to quality schools that hinder their ability to attain those aspirations.
• Cultural values have a profound impact on the development of educational aspirations across diverse populations. In cultures that emphasize academic success and higher education as pathways to social mobility, individuals are more likely to hold high educational aspirations. Conversely, in cultures where vocational training or early entry into the workforce is prioritized, students may set lower educational goals. Understanding these cultural influences is essential for educators and policymakers when designing programs aimed at raising aspirations in various communities.

Related terms

social capital : The networks, relationships, and resources that individuals possess, which can influence their access to education and opportunities.

educational attainment : The highest level of education an individual has completed, often linked to their aspirations and socio-economic background.

The involvement of family members in a child's education, which can significantly impact their educational aspirations and success.

" Educational aspiration " also found in:

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The concept of educational aspirations

• First Online: 14 October 2014

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• Marina Trebbels 2  

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Educational aspirations have been studied intensively by diff erent disciplines to explain educational disparities, including psychological, social-psychological, sociological and economic perspectives (Domina et al. 2011; Rojewski 2005). Yet, despite the frequent use of the term ‘educational aspirations’, which is generally used to refer to the educational goals students set for themselves, there is no single and universally accepted definition or common agreement as to what the term means (Lent et al. 1994; Quaglia and Cobb 1996; Rojewski 2005). A variety of terms like plans, decisions or preferences are commonly used – sometimes interchangeably – as they are all essentially viewed as goal terms that primarily differ along dimensions such as the degree of specifi city and proximity to the choice implementation (Lent et al. 1994; Rojewski 2005).

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Trebbels, M. (2015). The concept of educational aspirations. In: The transition at the end of compulsory full-time education. Springer VS, Wiesbaden. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-06241-5_3

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Published : 14 October 2014

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