Tips to Foster Educational Equity for All Students

Sponsored by College Board

In California, college-readiness and college-going rates vary greatly by race and ethnicity. Black, Latino, Native American, and Pacific Islander students are less likely to be prepared for and enroll in college due to lack of access to resources.

A-G Completion and College Enrollment within 12 Months of Graduation (2017-18)

The best way to ensure that all students have the option to attend a public university like a California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) school is to provide access to resources and encourage A-G course completion in high school. Currently, only 43% of 9th graders graduate high school and complete the A-G requirements. Not only does this vary by race and ethnicity, but also by socioeconomic status. Students who receive free and reduced-price lunch, or whose parents do not have a high school diploma, are half as likely as their peers to complete the A-G requirements.

We know that all parents want the best for their children. Our schools must do better, and you can help!

You can make a difference by taking these 3 steps today!

  1. Advocate for your school to offer high-quality A-G approved courses. Programs like College Board Pre-AP courses are A-G approved, and this program requires that these high-quality instructional resources be used in all classrooms, ensuring equity for all students.
  2. Encourage your school to use the latest state grant fund to offer A-G approved courses. The new A-G Completion Improvement Grant Program provides $400 million in funding to expand access to A-G courses necessary for students to attend a CSU or UC. These funds must be used to increase the number of students who graduate from high school with A-G eligibility. The funds can also be used to expand A-G course offerings and provide professional learning opportunities for administrators, teachers, and staff. Make sure your school is taking advantage of this grant to help more students be ready for college.
  3. Help students understand college requirements and the application process. Use free online resources like Big Future to help both students and parents navigate the college application process: from getting started to finding colleges, exploring careers, learning how to pay for college, applying, and finally making a decision.

Data pulled from Public Policy Institute of California: Geography of College Readiness in California
and Geography of College Enrollment in California.

 

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