Indicators of Higher Education Equity in the United States: 2017 Historical Trend Report

Overview & Synopsis

The purposes of this equity indicators project are to: (1) report the status of higher education equity in the United States and identify changes over time in measures of equity; (2) identify policies and practices that promote and hinder progress; and (3) illustrate the need for increased support of policies, programs, and practices that not only improve overall attainment in higher education but also create greater equity in higher education opportunity and outcomes. This edition includes selected indicators that highlight differences by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES), an index comprised of family income, parents' education, and parents' occupation developed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). This Indicators Report presents data as far back as comparable data warrant, often beginning with 1970. In addition to providing longitudinal indicators of equity, this report is also intended to advance productive conversation about effective policies and practices for improving equity in higher education opportunity and outcomes. To this end, the report includes an essay that connects the indicators to current policy debates. The indicators and essays promote productive dialogue about how to create meaningful improvements in higher education equity. Methodological Appendix A provides additional notes, tables, and figures. [For the "Indicators of Higher Education Equity in the United States: 2016 Historical Trend Report," see ED569199.]