Strategies to Increase Diversity and Equity in Education

In recent years, MassINC has become increasingly concerned that our civic leaders do not reflect our growing diversity. This has significant ramifications for public policy, and our ability to heal the economic divide that has only deepened since the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

New data from Brown University show that low-income students in Massachusetts earn nearly one-third less than their peers as adults. Education, including both pre-K-12 as well as higher education, has the potential to create equitable opportunities for students – but not in its current state.

But there are several new and exciting programs that have tremendous potential to advance equity and inclusion while creating better out comes for students.

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Kim Murphy on Chelsea’s Early College program

Shirley Edgerton on Teach Berkshire

MassINC Resources

Research Report: Investing in Early College

This report begins by revisiting projections indicating Massachusetts will end the next decade with fewer college-educated workers. We then present compelling evidence that Early College is a cost-effective response to this challenge and describe nascent efforts to grow Early Colleges throughout the state. As leaders on Beacon Hill work to update education funding formulas, this report demonstrates the need for sustainable mechanisms to scale Early Colleges, which span across our traditional K-12 and higher education systems.

Research Report: Drafting an Action Plan for Early College Expansion

This discussion paper examines strategies to sustainably finance Early College programs. The analysis describes the additional costs associated with delivering the model with fidelity, and looks at how leading Early College states invest funds to help school districts and their college partners cover these expenses.