The Vermont State College system is among 19 public university systems across the country trying to cut in half the achievement gaps for minority and low-income students within eight years.
The move comes at a time of deep concern that America’s colleges and universities don’t look much like the country as a whole.
A new study shows that minorities are making little progress moving up the ranks. Women are faring noticeably better than five years ago, but still trail well behind men.
The eight-year goal is to increase the rates of minorities and women attending college and graduating.
The 19 groups of colleges and universities comprise about 2 million undergraduates and about one-third of the nation’s low-income and minority four-year college students.