Massachusetts Pledges Equity, Access and Opportunity for Colleges and Universities Impacted by Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision

Massachusetts Pledges Equity, Access and Opportunity for Colleges and Universities Impacted by Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision:

 

Healey-Driscoll Administration releases recommendations centered on recruitment, admissions, enrollment policies and support for historically underserved and underrepresented students

 

Westfield, MA -- The Healey-Driscoll Administration released a report with recommendations today that provide Massachusetts colleges and universities with resources to enhance access into the state’s higher education system and provide a high-quality experience to all students regardless of background. These recommendations were crafted with the administration’s Advisory Council to Advance Representation in Education (ACARE), which was established ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the legality of race-based higher education admissions criteria in June 2023.

 

Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega, and Acting Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Russell Johnston announced actionable efforts across five primary areas today at Westfield High School, highlighting the state’s commitment to providing transformative academic and career opportunities to all students. Those recommendations include:

 

* Increase Exposure and Access to Higher Education for K-12 Students; 

* Re-engage Adult Learners and Encourage Participation in Higher Education; 

* Implement Innovative Recruitment, Admissions and Enrollment Policies; 

* Improve Equity in Financial Aid and Enhance Support for Historically Underserved and Underrepresented Students and the Institutions that Serve Them; 

* Increase Persistence and Completion for Historically Underserved; and Underrepresented Students in Higher Education. 

 

“I want to send a clear message to students of all backgrounds across the country – in Massachusetts, you are going to get a high-quality education, no matter who you are. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn decades of settled law does not change that,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are proud to share these recommendations today that outline the ways in which we are going to make sure that higher education remains accessible for all students, including students of color and all those who are historically underrepresented.”

 

“In Massachusetts, we remain steadfast in our efforts to make higher education more affordable and accessible. Since the start of the administration, we doubled financial aid, making community college free and cutting costs for students at 4-year public universities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Today’s announced actions are another important step forward in this work, giving our institutions of higher education the tools they need to make sure that all students feel welcomed and valued at our colleges and universities.”

 

The administration’s Advisory Council to Advance Representation in Education, chaired by Secretary Tutwiler and Commissioner Ortega, is comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders, including student representatives, with expertise in higher education; civil rights advocacy; diversity, equity and inclusion work; and the experiences of students of color. Over the past year, the council worked to develop strategic recommendations on breaking down barriers to higher education that ensure Massachusetts remains open, welcoming and inclusive of all students. These strategies allow Massachusetts’ schools to achieve representative student bodies, so students, colleges and universities, and greater society could continue to benefit from the invaluable contributions from and perspectives of students of color and other students underrepresented in higher education. 

 

“Over 100 Massachusetts Institutions of Higher Education, civil rights groups, advocacy organizations, and elected officials, joined us when the Supreme Court decision came out to declare that we stand firm in creating a higher education system that serves all students equitably, and over the last year we got to work to achieve that goal. I want to deeply thank all Council members for their partnership and dedication,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “While nationally there are increasingly attacks on efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion, in Massachusetts, we remain dedicated to fighting for equity for historically underrepresented students and continuing inclusivity and representation in education.”

 

As part of today’s recommendations, the Executive Office of Education and Department of Higher Education (DHE) will convene stakeholders to share data, identify effective practices to address gaps in services, and enhance community collaboration among high school counselors, higher education admissions personnel, nonprofit organizations, MassHire Workforce boards and more. DHE will also be gathering representatives from public and private higher education institutions on an ongoing basis to discuss recruitment and admissions, comprehensive support services, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, public/private partnerships, campus climate, and data management. 

 

“I’m grateful to Governor Healey for launching this advisory council, and I’ve been inspired by the dedication of participants who represent the vast community in Massachusetts dedicated to college access and student success,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “This report shows that significant, intentional work is required to reverse historic inequities in higher education for students of color and all students underrepresented on college campuses. I’m confident that Massachusetts can address its higher education equity gaps by advancing these recommendations and continuing to harness the energy that went into crafting them.”

 

“We want every student to be confident in their ability to attend and succeed in college,” said Russell D. Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education. “We will continue to work with schools and higher education partners to expand access to college- and career-connected learning, challenging coursework, and supports.”

 

“These recommendations reflect the Administration’s deep commitment to promoting equity in access and affordability across the education spectrum, beginning with our youngest learners,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “We also know that a diverse workforce that reflects the children and families they care for and teach yields better educational outcomes for children -- these strategies will help to strengthen our ongoing effort to recruit and retain a high-quality, representative early education and care workforce across the Commonwealth.”

 

The full report and recommendations can be found online at Mass.gov/ACARE. Examples of key recommendations include: 

 

* Expand access to professional learning opportunities: Training for faculty members, administrators, and staff at public and private higher education institutions, as well as members of boards of trustees and higher education advisory committees, related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, cultural and social competency, and increasing access and representation in higher education.

 

* Implement innovative admissions models: Remove barriers for historically underserved and underrepresented students such as direct admissions, dual admissions, and guaranteed admission for students graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school class.

 

* Incentivize holistic admissions review processes: Voluntary programs will enable admissions officers to consider factors such as cultural competencies, income level, first generation to attend college, neighborhood or community circumstances, disadvantages overcome, and the impact of an applicant’s particular experiences on their academic achievement and on the perspectives that they would bring to the school environment.

 

* Wraparound services for students: Incentivize research- and evidence-based wraparound services to students including asset-based advising and coaching; mental health services; emergency financial aid; and assistance related to other issues including, food and housing insecurity and costs related to transportation and child care.

 

* Increase availability of college-level courses: Provide access to AP courses, along with dual enrollment and other early college opportunities in underserved communities.

 

* Support students with work experience: Identify practices related to awarding college credits to adults possessing work experiences and industry credentials of value and also accepting credentials or degrees for individuals from other countries. 

 

In addition to convening the Advisory Council to Advance Representation in Education, Governor Healey last year issued joint guidance with AG Campbell to support the state’s higher education and K-12 institutions in their work to further equal access and representation in post-secondary education. 

 

Statements of Support:

 

Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell:

"There are clear benefits to diversity in race, gender, sexual orientation and economic background in the classroom. Different perspectives and lived experiences meaningfully contribute to a well-rounded education and eye-opening discussions that should be happening anywhere our students learn. Today's recommendations make clear our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education, and I am grateful that my office was able to lend its voice in this critical discussion of how to break down barriers to access and enhance the educational experience for all students."

 

Josiane Martinez, Chair, Governor's Council on Latino Empowerment, Founder and CEO of ASG:

“These recommendations show the Healey-Driscoll administration's commitment to protecting educational access for communities of color. Last year's Supreme Court decision had consequences when we witnessed a drop in students of color accessing higher education nationwide. I'm proud of the leadership in Massachusetts for ensuring that our community's youth have access to a brighter future, and I look forward to working with the Latino Empowerment Advisory Council to move these policies forward.” 

 

Tanisha M. Sullivan, Chair, Governor's Council on Black Empowerment and President, NAACP New England Area State Conference:

“We are pleased with the swift action taken by the Healey- Driscoll Administration to ensure that all Massachusetts residents have access to higher education opportunities. We are particularly appreciative of the leadership of Secretary Tutwiler and his team for their innovation and resolve. We hope this will serve as a model for others.”

 

Femi Stoltz, Massachusetts Policy Director, uAspire:

“It’s not a secret that the process of applying for college and financial aid can be daunting. Students of color, first generation students, and students from low and moderate income backgrounds often face added barriers when moving through these steps. Strengthening collaboration between the Commonwealth and community based organizations will help streamline those processes and make the transition much easier for these prospective college students.”

 

Genesis Carela, Senior Policy Analyst, edTrust:

"We are inspired by the recommendations in this report, which emphasize the pressing need to address long-standing disparities in postsecondary education across the Commonwealth," said Genesis Carela, Senior Policy Analyst for EdTrust in Massachusetts and ACARE member. "For too long, systemically underserved groups—especially Black and Latino students and students from low-income backgrounds—have faced significant barriers to both enrollment and completion. These recommendations present a clear and actionable roadmap to break down those barriers and build a more equitable postsecondary system. We are particularly eager to collaborate with the administration to strengthen institutional and wraparound supports, ensuring that all students not only have the opportunity to begin their degrees but are equipped with the resources they need to successfully complete them."

 

Rob McCarron, President & CEO, Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Massachusetts:

“We congratulate The Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Tutwiler and ACARE members on the release of its recommendations to sustain diversity on our campuses throughout Massachusetts. Creating multiple pathways to success includes ensuring that funding helps all needy and deserving Massachusetts students seeking access to a higher education. It’s critical to support a student’s choice of school – whether public or private – that best fits their talents, interests and learning styles, and ensure that state financial aid can follow them. This provides an important incentive for keeping talented students in the state and increasing the likelihood they remain in Massachusetts and join the work force.”

 

Amanda Fernandez, CEO & Founder, Latinos for Education:

“The ACARE report delivers a powerful blueprint for advancing a more equitable and inclusive educational future for our low-income students. The strength of these recommendations reflects the urgency of addressing disparities and ensuring that all students, regardless of racial and ethnic background, have access to the opportunities they deserve.  Together, we have set forth an ambitious agenda to create a roadmap for the future of education for all students. Most importantly, we have implemented that vision by creating substantial investments in evidence-based programs such Early College, Pre-k, educational innovation initiatives and robust career pathway programs in our school districts.  These critical investments will lead to greater academic achievement and importantly, economic mobility for all our students in the Commonwealth. I want to thank the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Secretary Tutwiler for their steadfast commitment to educational equity for all students.”

 

Senator Joanne Comerford, Senate Chair Joint Committee on Higher Education:

"Our higher education institutions must reflect the beautiful diversity of our communities. I am grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing equity and access to higher education by establishing the Advisory Council for the Advancement of Representation in Education. The release of the Council's report and recommendations today provides a clear path to continue the work of ensuring equitable access to higher education, particularly for historically marginalized and underserved students."

 

State Representative Dave Rogers, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Higher Education:

“In the face of numerous challenges to higher education, including a misguided Supreme Court ruling, the Legislature and Healey-Driscoll administration have responded with transformative investments. From free community college to in-state tuition for undocumented students to a massive increase in scholarship funding, we are breaking down barriers and closing equity gaps. The ACARE framework shows a continued determination to ensure Massachusetts remains a place where everyone — no matter their background — will have access to affordable, high-quality education.”