Member-only story

Expanding the Pathway to Higher Education Through Public Policy: A Multicultural Perspective

Dave Simmons

·20k Followers· Follow

Published in Achieving Equity For Latino Students: Expanding The Pathway To Higher Education Through Public Policy (Multicultural Education 47)

4 min read

970 View Claps

81 Respond

Save

Listen

The United States has a long history of educational inequality, with students from underrepresented backgrounds, including those from multicultural backgrounds, facing numerous barriers to accessing and succeeding in higher education. Public policy can play a vital role in addressing these inequities and expanding the pathway to higher education for all students.

The Role of Affirmative Action

Affirmative action policies are designed to increase the representation of underrepresented groups in higher education. These policies have been shown to be effective in increasing the enrollment and graduation rates of students from multicultural backgrounds.

Achieving Equity for Latino Students: Expanding the Pathway to Higher Education Through Public Policy (Multicultural Education 47)

Achieving Equity for Latino Students: Expanding the Pathway to Higher Education Through Public Policy (Multicultural Education Book 47)

by Margaret Campbell Barnes

4.1 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3070 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	208 pages

One of the most well-known affirmative action policies is the University of California's affirmative action program, which was established in 1995. This program considers race and ethnicity as factors in admissions decisions, with the goal of creating a more diverse student body.

The University of California's affirmative action program has been controversial, with some critics arguing that it discriminates against white students. However, research has shown that the program has not had a negative impact on white students' access to higher education.

The Importance of Financial Aid

Financial aid is essential for making higher education affordable for students from all backgrounds. However, students from multicultural backgrounds are often more likely to come from low-income families and have less access to financial resources.

Pell Grants are the largest source of federal financial aid for low-income students. Pell Grants can be used to cover the cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses.

Other types of financial aid that can be helpful for students from multicultural backgrounds include scholarships, grants, and loans.

The Need for College Readiness Programs

College readiness programs are designed to help students from underrepresented backgrounds prepare for the rigors of higher education. These programs can provide academic support, tutoring, and mentoring.

Research has shown that college readiness programs can improve the academic performance of students from multicultural backgrounds and increase their chances of success in college.

One example of a successful college readiness program is the TRIO program, which is a federally funded program that provides academic support to low-income and first-generation college students.

Public policy can play a vital role in expanding the pathway to higher education for students from multicultural backgrounds. Affirmative action policies, financial aid, and college readiness programs can all help to create a more equitable higher education system.

By investing in these policies, we can help to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in college and reach their full potential.

References

National Center for Education Statistics. (2019). Digest of Education Statistics, 2018. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.
Pew Research Center. (2019). The Rising Cost of College and the Growing Gap in College Attainment for Different Income Groups. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center.
U.S. Department of Education. (2019). TRIO Programs. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education.

Achieving Equity for Latino Students: Expanding the Pathway to Higher Education Through Public Policy (Multicultural Education Book 47)

by Margaret Campbell Barnes

4.1 out of 5