Statement on the Release of the ACARE Report
The Hildreth Institute applauds the great collaborative work initiated by Governor Maura Healey through the creation of the Advisory Council for the Advancement of Representation in Education (ACARE). This Council stands as a nation-leading example of how we can empower our higher education institutions with the knowledge and resources necessary to lawfully ensure our schools reflect our diverse communities and uphold our shared values. It is imperative that we take swift action to safeguard the invaluable contributions of students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and other historically underrepresented groups in higher education. Their presence enriches our campuses, strengthens our colleges, and benefits our society as a whole.
We are particularly grateful for the opportunity to have contributed to this space, where we shared our expertise and recommendations on fostering a more inclusive and diverse higher education system. We are thankful for the leadership of the Department of Education, Secretary Tutwiler, Commissioner Ortega, and their team for their efforts in convening the groups and facilitating collaboration. We are pleased to see that the final report’s recommendations reflect key priorities that we have long advocated for, including:
Increasing Exposure and Access to Higher Education for K-12 Students: Ensuring that every student has access to high-quality college guidance and support for navigating postsecondary opportunities and career pathways, as well as providing comprehensive FAFSA filing assistance.
Reforming Admissions Processes: We strongly support the call for a statewide assessment of current admissions practices, including legacy preferences and early decision policies, to remove barriers for underserved student groups. We are also encouraged by the inclusion of innovative admissions models such as direct admissions, dual admissions, and guaranteed admission for high-achieving students.
Enhancing Financial Aid: Financial aid is crucial for promoting inclusivity and ensuring equitable access to higher education. We emphasize that aid must provide sufficient grant funding to enable full-time attendance, so students are not forced to work alongside their studies. This financial support allows students to fully focus on their education and successfully complete their degrees without the burden of outside work. Additionally, we recommend streamlining state financial aid programs to better serve historically underserved students, ensuring that financial aid is both accessible and effective in closing equity gaps.
Expanding Wraparound Support Services: The report’s recognition of the essential role comprehensive, evidence-based support services play in student success and persistence is a major win for students. Services like asset-based advising, mental health care, emergency financial aid, and assistance with food and housing insecurity are critical to meeting students' needs. Proven models like ASAP and ACE show how these supports significantly improve retention and success. Including these recommendations ensures that students, especially those from underserved backgrounds, have the resources needed to thrive and complete their education.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Commonwealth and our fellow stakeholders to ensure these recommendations are fully implemented and lead to meaningful progress in creating a higher education system that is truly equitable, inclusive, and reflective of the diversity of our communities.