Introduction
The Postsecondary Value Commission spent two years examining the role that post-high school education can—and should—play in promoting economic opportunity, racial equity, and social justice. Overall, postsecondary education offers individuals the opportunity to earn more and build better lives for themselves and their families. It also helps foster a healthier, more democratic society. But access to these opportunities is unequal. Troubling disparities exist—by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and gender.
This report outlines the commission’s findings and offers:
- A definition of postsecondary value.
- A set of core principles for determining value.
- A framework for measuring value.
- An action agenda for institutional leaders, policymakers, students, and families.
Overview
The action agenda is a key commission product—an important blueprint for increasing equity in higher education. It outlines policies and practices that address the persistent barriers facing students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and women. The agenda also lists questions that any institution should be able to clearly answer concerning the value that students can gain from its programs.
The report’s recommendations include five focus areas for maximizing postsecondary value:
- Equalizing access.
- Removing affordability as an impediment.
- Eliminating completion gaps and improving post-college outcomes.
- Improving data to expose and address inequities.
- Promoting social justice.
And this report is just the beginning. While driven by robust research and evidence, it is not intended as a research project. Rather, it aims to be the catalyst of a movement—one that can steer the next decade of higher education reform. Together, we will combat barriers to access and completion, dismantle racist practices and structural inequalities, promote equity, and build a more vibrant and just society.