The next generations of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workers are being trained in college and university classrooms by a workforce of instructors who learn pedagogical practice largely on the job. While inclusive instructional practices and their impacts are increasingly well-studied, this training is difficult to instill…

State postsecondary education data systems are vital assets for policymakers, researchers, and the public. The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association's (SHEEO) Communities of Practice project builds upon SHEEO's efforts to measure the capacity and effective use of state postsecondary data systems and provides states with…

This action research project explores the current university-community school-based partnerships between Paterson community organizations and WU. This study's research question is, "What current university-community school-based partnerships exist between the Paterson community organizations and WU?" This study uses only the first action…

Niceness is a socialized disposition, particularly amongst white women, that prioritizes comfort and neutrality while preventing resistance against oppressive systems. Given the demographics of teachers and teacher educators, niceness and whiteness are deeply embedded in programs and institutions. As eight white, female teacher educators, we drew…

Increasingly, people are looking for education and training options that are more affordable, flexible, can quickly open doors to good jobs, and--ideally--pave the way for further educational attainment. Businesses also want to hire workers with the skills needed for jobs in growing industries. Non-degree credentials (NDCs) can often meet these…

Too many Washingtonians, especially low-income persons of color, are not completing postsecondary education credentials that lead to meaningful labor market returns. This chapter provides an evidence-based, student-centered transfer framework that reinforces transparency, equity-mindedness, and the adaptive leadership necessary to transform higher…

The bachelor's degree remains a fundamental path to economic opportunity in the United States. Critical for policymakers, then, is ensuring equitable access to such benefits--a task often constrained by long-standing structural barriers. One of the most obvious structural impediments for bachelor's degree-aspirants in California (CA) is the…

Facing enrollment declines that date to the Great Recession and accelerated during the worst of the pandemic, community colleges are redoubling their focus on student-readiness to seem--and become--as welcoming as possible. These efforts include: (1) ramping up student equity, diversity, and inclusion; (2) becoming more trauma-informed and…

Taking advanced courses in high school predicts many positive outcomes, yet low-income students and students who identify as Black and Hispanic are underrepresented. Policies such as "algebra for all" that accelerate middle school students into advanced courses are well-studied, but little is known about newer academic acceleration…

States must adopt an equity-focused approach to transfer policies to address racial equity gaps and make progress toward attainment goals in postsecondary education. State higher education agencies should assess transfer performance based on race and income and establish standards for creating equitable transfer policies. To support state and…

Land Grant Institutions (LGIs) and Cooperative Extension were founded to bring educational access to the states they serve. In contrast to this mission and the ubiquitous nature of Extension services in US counties, Extension offices can only be found in a small number of indigenous communities. Despite these inequities, there are Extension…

When postsecondary education is accessible and pathways to earning a credential are available to all, the economic and personal benefits afforded to both individuals and society are substantial. Improving access and completion using strategies that attempt to support all students--regardless of demographic background--may yield important progress.…

In 2022, the Transfer Equity Project (TEP) examined key aspects of Washington's transfer ecosystem for students, specifically towards achieving equitable student outcomes. This project took the form of a self-study and engaged a task force that included a wide range of participants from various organizations in Washington. From this exploration…

Each year, only 60% of high school graduates in Washington transition to postsecondary education within one year. Family engagement is a critical part of the college search and transition process. Families are often involved in campus visits, financial planning, and the shifting of norms and responsibilities when a student begins their higher…

Public community colleges have struggled with reduced funding allocations, unstable enrollments, low completion rates, and growing racial equity gaps while facing increased accountability for outcomes. As a result, public community colleges are trying to determine how to efficiently use limited funds to effectively meet equitable student outcomes.…