Access and "Choice" in Higher Education

Catalog description

College enrollment is a complex process that is shaped by the economic, social, and policy context, and the characteristics of higher education institutions, K-12 schools, families, and students. Numerous entities articulate a commitment to increasing access to college for students from underserved groups. Yet, despite these commitments, whether and where students enroll continues to vary based on such demographic characteristics as family income, parents’ education, and racial/ethnic group, as well as based on state and locality. This course explores: 1) the availability and use of data for understanding differences across groups in college enrollment outcomes; 2) the structural and systemic forces that explain observed differences in college enrollment outcomes; and 3) research-based policies and practices for addressing the structural barriers and enabling all people to have the opportunity for high quality higher education.