Rethinking College Rankings: A New Measure
February 2024
Harvard University
Introduction
Dive into a thought-provoking piece from Harvard, where sociologist Christina Ciocca Eller shakes up the college ranking game! Instead of just measuring grades and test scores, she's advocating for a fresh focus: how colleges level the playing field for everyone, especially first-gen and underrepresented students. With surprising insights (STEM majors, we're looking at you!) and a call for action that could change the future of college rankings, this article is a must-read. Who knew college rankings could be so riveting?
READ FULL ARTICLEWhy It Matters
Discover how this topic shapes your world and future
Unveiling the True Champions of Equality
Imagine a world where the college you choose to attend could significantly impact not just your academic journey but also your future opportunities, regardless of your background. This is not just a scenario but a reality for many students across the globe. The debate around top-ranked colleges and their effectiveness in providing equal opportunities for all students, especially those from underrepresented groups, is more relevant than ever. Understanding how colleges contribute to leveling the playing field is crucial because it sheds light on the broader issue of educational equity. This topic is not just about choosing the right college; it's about understanding the role of higher education in shaping society. For you, this could mean exploring how the college you might attend one day is working to ensure students like you can succeed, no matter where you come from.
Speak like a Scholar
Educational equity
Ensuring that all students receive fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement while striving to identify and eliminate barriers that prevent the full participation of some groups.
Underrepresented groups
Categories of people who have fewer representatives in a particular area or field compared to their numbers in the general population.
Disaggregated data
Data that has been broken down by detailed sub-categories, such as race, gender, or income level, to show differences in outcomes or characteristics.
First-generation students
Students who are the first in their family to attend a college or university.
Retention rate
The percentage of students who continue their studies at the same institution from one year to the next.
STEM majors
Academic disciplines classified under science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Independent Research Ideas
The impact of campus support services on first-generation college students
Investigate how different types of support services (tutoring, mentoring, financial advice) affect the success rates of first-generation students.
Diversity in STEM - barriers and breakthroughs
Explore the challenges that students from underrepresented groups face in STEM fields and identify programs or strategies that have successfully supported their participation and completion.
Comparative analysis of graduation rates
Examine how graduation rates vary among public and private colleges and analyze factors that contribute to higher success rates for underrepresented students.
The role of community colleges in promoting educational equity
Study the function of community colleges in the higher education ecosystem and their effectiveness in providing pathways to degree completion for diverse populations.
Financial aid's equalizing effect on college access and success
Analyze how different types of financial aid (grants, scholarships, loans) impact the ability of students from low-income families to attend and graduate from college.
