Professor Gilda Ochoa spoke at Rio Hondo College about academic profiling and how it impacts students of color, specifically Latinx* students in secondary school. She is a professor at Pomona College where she teaches sociology and Chicanx*/Latinx studies. Her research “focuses on academic profiling, inequalities in education, and community partnerships,” according to her biographic profile on the Pomona College website.

Professor Ochoa interviewed with El Paisano before her speech and explained the details of her research. Overwhelmingly, Mexican-American students in public high schools are tracked into college-prep and vocational classes. Meanwhile, Asian-American students are tracked into advanced placement (AP) courses where they can earn college credit before setting foot on a college campus.

The issue is not solely tied to ethnicity. According to Ochoa, the problem is also linked to socioeconomic status as well. Students that were college-bound were also more likely to have parents that went to college. Yet, the Latinx parents valued education and had high aspirations for their children to attend college.

The difference in the two academic tracks were stark. College-prep and vocational courses used rote instruction as part of the curriculum. Oftentimes, students in these courses did not know their counselors. Conversely, AP courses assigned open-ended essays and the classes fostered open discussions.

The impact of high school tracking influences community college demographics, showing that Latinxs are more likely to be in community college. Professor Ochoa stresses that community colleges “must make sure Latinxs transfer to universities.” She also addressed ways to combat academic profiling on a micro, meso, and macro level.

Professor Ochoa encourages high school and community college students to name profiling and share their stories. It is important to tell other people and not reinforce tracking, according to Professor Ochoa. Furthermore, she emphasizes the need for students to work with other people. Finally, she asks everyone to think about their beliefs. Academic profiling is not unique to Southern California; it is a national problem. Thus, there must be a societal belief that some students are more capable than others in attaining a college degree.

(*Latinx/Chicanx are gender neutral terms referencing the Chicano/Latino community)