A fundamental goal of guided pathways is to increase the rate at which underrepresented students earn college credentials, particularly in fields of high economic value, while also closing gaps for low-income students, students of color, returning adults, and other groups with inequitable outcomes. To accomplish this, colleges must critically examine their onboarding, advising, and teaching practices to think about how the college is serving students who have been historically underrepresented and/or underserved in higher education.
With support from the Office of Community College Research and Leadership (OCCRL) Pathways Collaborative Equity Partners Fund, CCRC is developing two tools to help colleges identify equity gaps at the program level and to reflect on current policies and practices that may be contributing to inequitable outcomes and seek to change them. The first is a data template and guide to help colleges examine the representation of historically marginalized groups in programs leading to greater opportunity after graduation. The second is designed to help colleges interrogate current practices, consider how they may contribute to inequities, and design new practices that will lead to more equitable access, progress, and success.