The U.S. Department of Education recently published a report on increasing student diversity, equity and inclusion, which aims to serve as a resource to postsecondary institutions and states in the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina et al.
The report describes research demonstrating the effectiveness of pathway programs for increasing diversity and encouraging more low-income and minority students to apply to postsecondary institutions. The authors also note that, despite the resource-intensive nature of pathway programs, in the long run they lead to positive effects on postsecondary application and enrollment rates for underrepresented learners.
The report also highlights dual enrollment as a strategy to boost diversity for postsecondary institutions. However, dual enrollment courses are not equally accessible to low-income students and students of color, who are more likely to attend schools that do not offer this option. Even when it is available to them, barriers such as insufficient advising and financial hardships can disincentivize these learners’ participation.
To increase access, the report highlights examples from states across the country that have developed innovative pathway and dual enrollment approaches. For instance, Georgia is attempting to expand dual enrollment opportunities to underrepresented students by including these courses in its statewide accountability system. New Mexico is building its Four Corners College and Career Pathways Partnership, which aims to help secondary students in rural areas earn 12-30 hours of early college credit. The credits will seamlessly transition to an aligned certificate, a degree program or an apprenticeship program.
In addition, the authors recommended the following strategies that institutions can apply to reach a more diverse pool of student talent:
- Prioritize targeted outreach in communities with higher levels of low-income learners and learners of color.
- Establish partnerships with K-12 educators, counselors, college access groups and other community-based organizations to deliver clear information about postsecondary options to students and their families.
- Establish partnerships between community colleges and four-year institutions to smooth transfer pathways.
- Support visits to college campuses and assign higher numbers of admissions recruiters to high schools with few prior recruitments.
- Provide opportunities to explore career interests and identify the education options that will help students meet their career goals.
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