Indiana College Equity Report 2020 - Introduction - Educational Equity Creates Economic Opportunity

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Damian

Indiana College Equity Report 2020 explains how educational attainment shapes economic opportunity while highlighting disparities intensified by COVID-19. It describes how Indiana’s growing racial and ethnic diversity and rising low-income households may sustain achievement gaps. The report notes that Black and Hispanic Hoosiers are less likely to complete college on-time and that low-income students face barriers to access and success. It outlines equity-focused strategies aligned with the Commission’s priorities of completion, equity, and talent.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages26

Reading Time1 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

College Equity Report 2020 purpose and priorities

Commission outreach and equity definition

Key takeaways: High school pipeline and college preparation

Key takeaways: College access and success

INDIANA COLLEGE EQUITY REPORT 2020 WWW.CHE. IN.GOV INDIANA COLLEGE EQUITY REPORT 2020- INTRODUCTION Educational Equity Creates Economic Opportunity It’s often said that education is the great equalizer, but it can also be the great divider. We know that adults without education beyond high school have limited opportunities. The recent economic impact of COVID-19 has further exposed this stark reality that economic outcomes are linked to educational attainment. The pandemic has also driven home that some Hoosiers — depending on their race or ethnicity, in particular — have fared far worse economically (either through job loss or reduced hours), than other groups. Over the past decade, Indiana has become more racially and ethnically diverse. At the same time, the proportion of low-income households in Indiana has also grown and demographic projections indicate this disparity will continue, particularly as the state and nation recover economically from the impact of COVID-19. Data show Black and Hispanic Hoosiers are less likely to complete college on-time than the statewide average. We also know low-income Hoosiers face burdens in accessing college and succeeding while in school. Women of color are least likely to enter the high-paying fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) . These outcomes — among other disparities — demonstrate the need to focus on equity and student success for all students. As Indiana’s economy and populations diversify, the importance of engaging underrepresented populations and all regions of the state through education will be essential to our future. To meet our state goal of having at least 60 percent of Hoosiers with quality education and training beyond high school by 2025, Indiana must be sharply focused on driving educational equity and closing achievement gaps. Disaggregating and reporting this data is the first step toward closing opportunity and achievement gaps. PG // 2 INDIANA COLLEGE EQUITY REPORT 2020 INDIANA COLLEGE EQUITY REPORT 2020- INTRODUCTION The 2020 College Equity Report — our third iteration of this report — will show the following: • Students from certain demographics are less likely to go to college and less likely to graduate at the same or similar rates to their peers • Hoosiers in the state’s early college promise program, 21st Century Scholars, are the only ones on track to close the achievement gaps by 2025 • The data intersect in important and informative ways, providing a fuller picture of Hoosier students and underlining what hinders their success Earlier this year, the Commission released its fourth strategic plan, Reaching Higher in a State of Change. Within the plan, three priority areas are outlined: completion, equity and talent. Equity is critical to Indiana’s success, and it requires targeted supports. At the end of this report, we’ve outlined the equity-focused strategies and policy recommendations the Commission has been focusing on throughout 2020. We will begin releasing annual report cards in 2021 to show the progress we’ve made on these selected action items. The Commission’s outreach to students and families, institutions and community partner organizations has been andwill continue to be a key component of our work. For instance, the second year of our Padres Estrellas (translated to“Star Parents”) initiative is now underway.“Padres” work within their local communities to help enroll Hispanic and Latino students and families in the 21st Century Scholars program and the state’s Next Level Jobs Workforce Ready Grant, in an effort to increase student access and statewide educational attainment. This is just one of the many ways we are following through on our definition of equity: that “life’s circumstances or obstacles should not dictate opportunity to succeed.” Higher education must play a role in resolving the issues of disparity in Indiana. It is a moral and economic imperative to ensure o

FAQs

Why does the report connect education to economic opportunity?

The report explains that limited education beyond high school reduces opportunities and that COVID-19 further exposed how economic outcomes relate to educational attainment.

Which groups are highlighted as facing lower on-time college completion?

Black and Hispanic Hoosiers are described as less likely to complete college on-time than the statewide average, and low-income Hoosiers face added burdens in accessing and succeeding in college.

What does the report say about progress toward closing achievement gaps by 2025?

It states that Hoosiers in the early college promise program, 21st Century Scholars, are the only group on track to close achievement gaps by 2025.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Damian