Policy Agenda

In the span of six years, issues associated with race, ethnicity and gender in education have reemerged on our national landscape — ranging from core constitutional pronouncements to the public’s perception in key states about the ways in which race, ethnicity and gender ought to be considered (or not) within public institutions. Four landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions (after years of virtual silence on issues of race in education) and three major state ballot initiatives only begin to chronicle recent developments relevant to higher education's pursuit of its access- and diversity-related education goals. The 21st-century challenge — and opportunity — facing higher education leaders centers directly on their need to develop effective policies that will advance their core education goals, and to do so in resourceful, efficient ways.