Learning, Achieving, Succeeding!
September 26, 2023
Valley Stream Central High School District

Learning, Achieving, Succeeding!

September 26, 2023

South Senior Has Capstone Research Published

November 8, 2022

Valley Stream South High School senior Breanna Villarreal had her Capstone research project published in the prestigious journal The Young Researcher. Breanna’s research project, titled “Immigrant Parents and Academic Success: Generational Status and Race on Academic Achievement” looks into the academic advantages and disadvantages held by second- and-third generation children of immigrants.

Under the guidance of AP teachers Jeanette Azzaretto, Katie Graves, Mike O’Brien and Katie Kennedy, Breanna conducted a detailed literature review on the topic and aligned her methodology with previous researchers on the topic to explore a gap in the research. She also surveyed 64 second- and- third generation students between the ages of 14 and 18 to assess feelings of cultural identity, perceived and real academic success, and academic motivations.

Using a combination of statistical analysis and comparisons to the means of different data sets Breanna’s research confirmed widely accepted academic advantages held by second-generation students, but also found that Hispanic or Latino students may not be at as much of an academic disadvantage as previous research has indicated.

For more information about the Valley Stream Central High School District, please visit the District’s website at https://www.vschsd.org/, and like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ValleyStreamCentralHighSchoolDistrict

Breanna Villarreal