POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION’S ROLE IN PROMOTING JUSTICE - INSTITUTIONS MUST CONSIDER RACE AND CLASS

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

The paper argues that true racial and socioeconomic justice depends on equitable economic opportunities and outcomes, which postsecondary education can meaningfully advance. It applies an equity lens to how postsecondary value is defined and measured, linking institutional investment, mobility, and returns to racial and socioeconomic justice. It outlines necessary conditions and roles for postsecondary institutions, and proposes considerations for a value metric that supports fair access, persistence, and graduation while reducing disparities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Necessary Conditions Within Postsecondary Education for Justice

Two Roles of Postsecondary Education in Achieving Justice

Considerations for a Postsecondary Education Value Metric

Conclusion

References

POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION’S ROLE IN PROMOTING JUSTICE: INSTITUTIONS MUST CONSIDER RACE AND CLASS Dominique J. Baker Southern Methodist University TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction ................................................................ 2 Necessary Conditions Within Postsecondary Education for Justice .................... 3 Two Roles of Postsecondary Education in Achieving Justice ......................... 5 Considerations for a Postsecondary Education Value Metric ......................... 8 Conclusion ................................................................. 9 References ................................................................ 10 This paper is one in a foundational research series for the Postsecondary Value Commission authored in summer 2019 by scholars with diverse backgrounds and expertise. The research presented in these papers applies an equity lens to the philosophical, measurement, and policy considerations and assumptions underlying key components of postsecondary value to students and society, including investment, economic and non-economic returns, mobility, and racial and socioeconomic justice. The Postsecondary Value Commission consulted this foundational research as it developed a conceptual definition of postsecondary value, a framework for measuring how institutions and programs create value and ensure equitable outcomes, and an action agenda with recommendations for applying the definition and framework to change policies and practices. Through this breadth of scholarship, the commission was better able to define the value of postsecondary education and the role institutions can play in creating a more equitable and fair United States. Following the May 2021 release of the commission’s findings, these foundational papers were prepared for publication. The views and opinions expressed in these papers do not necessarily reflect the positions of individual members of the Postsecondary Value Commission or the organizations they represent. The Postsecondary Value Commission along with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Institute for Higher Education Policy are deeply grateful to the authors of this series. The authors’ extensive expertise and thoughtful engagement in this work provided the foundation for the commission to develop an informed, innovative, and equity-driven framework. They also thank Deborah Seymour for editing the written products and the team at GMMB for their creative design and layout. Suggested citation: Baker, D.J. (2021) . Postsecondary Education’s Role in Promoting Justice: Institutions Must Consider Race and Class. Postsecondary Value Commission. INTRODUCTION True racial and socioeconomic justice requires a United States in which individuals of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds have equitable economic opportunities and outcomes.a In other words, our nation will have reached economic justice when the race or socioeconomic status of an individual is not probabilistic of their future. It is difficult to envision any sector of the United States economy single-handedly meeting this goal. However, policies and practices at the federal, state, local, and institutional level can work together to improve the lives of individuals from historically and contemporarily marginalized groups, while reducing disparities in quality of life across groups. The higher education sector is uniquely positioned to make a difference on these fronts because it intersects with so many other aspects of our lives (for example, through the training of K-12 teachers) and is a key gatekeeping mechanism for systems of power (and thus has the potential to be a key site for empowerment) . And because there is a causal relationship between postsecondary education and many outcomes of interest, such as occupational choice, education can be a significant intervention point to increase economic equity (Hout, 2012) . Achieving economic justice would require,

FAQs

Why does the paper emphasize racial and socioeconomic justice in the context of postsecondary education?

It connects justice to achieving equitable economic opportunities and outcomes where individuals’ race or socioeconomic status does not predict future prospects. The paper positions higher education as a gatekeeping mechanism and intervention point that can affect economic equity.

What equity-focused approach does the paper use to discuss postsecondary value?

It uses an equity lens to examine philosophical, measurement, and policy assumptions behind postsecondary value. The analysis covers investment, economic and non-economic returns, mobility, and racial and socioeconomic justice.

What does the paper propose for institutions regarding a value metric?

It calls for considerations that ensure equitable access, support persistence and graduation, and define and assess quality learning for institutions. It also links accountability and support or consequences to institutions’ ability to produce equitable outcomes.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Angel