Massachusetts Pledges Equity, Access and Opportunity for Colleges and Universities Impacted by Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision

Massachusetts Pledges Equity, Access and Opportunity for Colleges and Universities Impacted by Supreme Court Affirmative Action Decision 

Healey-Driscoll Administration releases recommendations centered on recruitment, admissions, enrollment policies and support for historically underserved and underrepresented students 

WESTFIELD – The Healey-Driscoll Administration released a report with recommendations today that provide Massachusetts colleges and universities with resources to enhance access into the state’s higher education system and provide a high-quality experience to all students regardless of background. These recommendations were crafted with the administration’s Advisory Council to Advance Representation in Education (ACARE), which was established ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the legality of race-based higher education admissions criteria in June 2023. 

Education Secretary Patrick Tutwiler, Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega and Acting Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Russell Johnston announced actionable efforts across five primary areas today at Westfield High School, highlighting the state’s commitment to providing transformative academic and career opportunities to all students. Those recommendations include: 

• Increase Exposure and Access to Higher Education for K-12 Students;  

• Re-engage Adult Learners and Encourage Participation in Higher Education;  

• Implement Innovative Recruitment, Admissions and Enrollment Policies;  

• Improve Equity in Financial Aid and Enhance Support for Historically Underserved and Underrepresented Students and the Institutions that Serve Them;  

• Increase Persistence and Completion for Historically Underserved; and Underrepresented Students in Higher Education.  

“I want to send a clear message to students of all backgrounds across the country – in Massachusetts, you are going to get a high-quality education, no matter who you are. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn decades of settled law does not change that,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are proud to share these recommendations today that outline the ways in which we are going to make sure that higher education remains accessible for all students, including students of color and all those who are historically underrepresented.” 

“In Massachusetts, we remain steadfast in our efforts to make higher education more affordable and accessible. Since the start of the administration, we doubled financial aid, making community college free and cutting costs for students at 4-year public universities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Today’s announced actions are another important step forward in this work, giving our institutions of higher education the tools they need to make sure that all students feel welcomed and valued at our colleges and universities.” 

The administration’s Advisory Council to Advance Representation in Education, chaired by Secretary Tutwiler and Commissioner Ortega, is comprised of a diverse group of stakeholders, including student representatives, with expertise in higher education; civil rights advocacy; diversity, equity and inclusion work; and the experiences of students of color. Over the past year, the council worked to develop strategic recommendations on breaking down barriers to higher education that ensure Massachusetts remains open, welcoming and inclusive of all students. These strategies allow Massachusetts’ schools to achieve representative student bodies, so students, colleges and universities, and greater society could continue to benefit from the invaluable contributions from and perspectives of students of color and other students underrepresented in higher education.  

“Over 100 Massachusetts Institutions of Higher Education, civil rights groups, advocacy organizations, and elected officials, joined us when the Supreme Court decision came out to declare that we stand firm in creating a higher education system that serves all students equitably, and over the last year we got to work to achieve that goal. I want to deeply thank all Council members for their partnership and dedication,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “While nationally there are increasingly attacks on efforts to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion, in Massachusetts, we remain dedicated to fighting for equity for historically underrepresented students and continuing inclusivity and representation in education.” 

As part of today’s recommendations, the Executive Office of Education and Department of Higher Education (DHE) will convene stakeholders to share data, identify effective practices to address gaps in services, and enhance community collaboration among high school counselors, higher education admissions personnel, nonprofit organizations, MassHire Workforce boards and more. DHE will also be gathering representatives from public and private higher education institutions on an ongoing basis to discuss recruitment and admissions, comprehensive support services, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, public/private partnerships, campus climate, and data management.  

“I’m grateful to Governor Healey for launching this advisory council, and I’ve been inspired by the dedication of participants who represent the vast community in Massachusetts dedicated to college access and student success,” said Commissioner of Higher Education Noe Ortega. “This report shows that significant, intentional work is required to reverse historic inequities in higher education for students of color and all students underrepresented on college campuses. I’m confident that Massachusetts can address its higher education equity gaps by advancing these recommendations and continuing to harness the energy that went into crafting them.” 

“We want every student to be confident in their ability to attend and succeed in college,” said Russell D. Johnston, acting commissioner of elementary and secondary education. “We will continue to work with schools and higher education partners to expand access to college- and career-connected learning, challenging coursework, and supports.” 

“These recommendations reflect the Administration’s deep commitment to promoting equity in access and affordability across the education spectrum, beginning with our youngest learners,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. “We also know that a diverse workforce that reflects the children and families they care for and teach yields better educational outcomes for children -- these strategies will help to strengthen our ongoing effort to recruit and retain a high-quality, representative early education and care workforce across the Commonwealth.” 

The full report and recommendations can be found online at Mass.gov/ACARE. Examples of key recommendations include:  

• Expand access to professional learning opportunities: Training for faculty members, administrators, and staff at public and private higher education institutions, as well as members of boards of trustees and higher education advisory committees, related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, cultural and social competency, and increasing access and representation in higher education. 

• Implement innovative admissions models: Remove barriers for historically underserved and underrepresented students such as direct admissions, dual admissions, and guaranteed admission for students graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school class. 

• Incentivize holistic admissions review processes: Voluntary programs will enable admissions officers to consider factors such as cultural competencies, income level, first generation to attend college, neighborhood or community circumstances, disadvantages overcome, and the impact of an applicant’s particular experiences on their academic achievement and on the perspectives that they would bring to the school environment. 

• Wraparound services for students: Incentivize research- and evidence-based wraparound services to students including asset-based advising and coaching; mental health services; emergency financial aid; and assistance related to other issues including, food and housing insecurity and costs related to transportation and child care. 

• Increase availability of college-level courses: Provide access to AP courses, along with dual enrollment and other early college opportunities in underserved communities. 

• Support students with work experience: Identify practices related to awarding college credits to adults possessing work experiences and industry credentials of value and also accepting credentials or degrees for individuals from other countries.  

In addition to convening the Advisory Council to Advance Representation in Education, Governor Healey last year issued joint guidance with AG Campbell to support the state’s higher education and K-12 institutions in their work to further equal access and representation in post-secondary education.