The Higher Education Act (HEA) includes two titles, Titles III AND V, that direct the U.S. Department of Education to provide federal funding for postsecondary institutions that apply and receive federal designation as minority-serving institutions (MSIS). Currently, 1 in 5 higher education institutions are designated as MSIs, which collectively…

This document contains the technical appendix for the report, "Equal Is Not Good Enough: An Analysis of School Funding Equity across the U.S. and within Each State." The report describes an analysis of funding disparities between the highest and lowest poverty school districts, as well as districts serving the most and the fewest…

For decades, college tuition costs have been skyrocketing, yet state financial aid has failed to meet the increasing economic needs of college students -- leaving many young people with the choice of bridging the financial gap by taking out student loans or not attending college at all. This pressing issue of rising college tuition is not just a…

All students, regardless of race or ethnicity, benefit from having teachers and school leaders of color. Since principals of color are often more likely to hire and retain teachers of color, increasing school leader diversity is a key lever for addressing educational inequities. To provide advocates and policymakers with context on this important…

When it comes to providing children with a high-quality education, money matters. Research shows that sustained and significant increases in school funding can have a lasting positive impact on student achievement and other outcomes -- especially for students from low-income backgrounds. Yet, the U.S. education system is plagued with persistent…

School safety and student well-being are crucial to the social, emotional, and academic development of young people. Many districts have turned to school security measures that offer visible signs or outward appearances of safety; however, other approaches--those that create positive and inclusive school climates--both support students' well-being…

Math and science are for everyone. But unfortunately, many students, and especially Black and Latino students, don't receive that message or the resources needed to make it a reality. Even early on, many students are told they are not a "math person," or a "science person;" as such, Black and Latino students have long been…

Social, emotional, and academic development (SEAD) is a holistic approach to supporting students' development and learning that is integral to ensuring positive outcomes in school and beyond. Schools must ensure students experience healthy development and rigorous learning. Unfortunately, students of color, students from low-income backgrounds,…

Social, emotional, and academic development (SEAD) is a holistic approach to supporting students' development and learning that is integral to ensuring positive outcomes in school and beyond. Schools must ensure students experience healthy development and rigorous learning. Unfortunately, students of color, students from low-income backgrounds,…

Social, emotional, and academic development (SEAD) is a holistic approach to supporting students' development and learning that is integral to ensuring positive outcomes in school and beyond. Schools must ensure students experience healthy development and rigorous learning. Unfortunately, students of color, students from low-income backgrounds,…

Addressing inequities in the educational outcomes--particularly for students of color and students from low-income backgrounds--cannot happen without comparable data from statewide summative assessments. Statewide assessment results help schools and district leaders target state and local resources to the students and schools with the greatest…

School attendance is an important predictor of student outcomes. Regular attendance ensures students have access to learning in the classroom and allows students to build relationships with their peers and adults in schools. But too often, students face barriers in and out of school that influence whether they attend school consistently. These…

There are many pathways to a successful career, and every student should have access to postsecondary education and career opportunities and support to allow them to pursue degrees and certificates that align with their interests and career aspirations and see the steps needed to reach their goals. Yet, because of the quickly changing labor…

Black students are more likely to take on debt, borrow higher amounts, and struggle with repayment than their peers, because they generally have fewer resources to pay for college, thanks to the ongoing generational effects of systemic racism. This debt burden has far-reaching financial consequences, and many Black borrowers are unable to afford…

Research says that teacher diversity benefits all students, regardless of race or Ethnicity. However, while the majority of students in the U.S. are of color, only about 20% of teachers are of color. Increasing the racial and cultural diversity of the teacher workforce takes a statewide commitment to collecting and analyzing educator workforce…