Improving Equity in U.S. Higher Education: A Call for Equity-enhancing Opportunity Structures

In this paper, Stella Flores considers what constitutes equity for historically underserved college students, arguing that we should refocus efforts on the opportunity structures that lead to a college degree, rather than solely on outcomes. She stesses the critical role public policy can play as a lever to either enhance or constrain educational opportunity across various jurisdictions. Finally, she outlines key conditions for equity that could lead to the design of more precise and effective solutions for college success for historically underserved students.