ACT's North Star

We exist to fight for fairness in education and create a world where everyone can discover and fulfill their potential.

Advancing Education Equity and Access for All Learners

ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning is committed to showcasing and supporting ACT’s efforts to close opportunity and outcomes gaps for all individuals, including:

  • students of color;
  • first-generation students;
  • families with economic challenges; and
  • exceptional and diverse learners.

ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning builds on ACT’s more than 65-year commitment to empower every student to realize their full potential by overcoming systemic barriers to education and workplace success. Through targeted programs, collaborations, and resources, the Center illuminates effective strategies for success and advocates for equitable solutions. By investing in effective equity-focused organizations and visionary leaders, the Center supports efforts to achieve measurable improvements for all. Committed to advancing ACT’s mission, the Center actively works to bridge opportunity gaps and foster equitable outcomes for learners from all backgrounds.

History

More than 65 years ago, ACT’s cofounder E.F. Lindquist believed that college entrance exams should not focus on rewarding the brightest students, but instead “should clearly constitute an incentive to
elementary and high school students to work harder at the job of getting ready for college.” ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning was launched in 2016 with the same commitment in mind, and today, the Center carries that tradition forward, working to ensure that all students can discover and fulfill their potential.

Collaborations

The Center asks tough questions of equity-minded organizations and encourages each organization to push ACT toward deeper engagement, more intentional initiatives, and inclusive collaborations to close equity gaps and achieve measurable increases in positive education outcomes for all. Some of the Center’s current collaborative stakeholders include:

  • American Council on Education (ACE)
  • Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents;
  • Better Make Room and Reach Higher;
  • Civic Nation;
  • College Advising Corps;
  • College Horizons;
  • College Promise Campaign;
  • Council for Opportunity in Education;
  • Excelencia in Education;
  • Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce;
  • National College Attainment Network;
  • NCCEP;
  • Students of African American Brotherhood; and
  • Univision

Programs

The American College Application Campaign (ACAC) a nationwide initiative of ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning, is designed to increase the number of first-generation college students and students from low-income households who pursue a postsecondary degree. Campaign events assist high school seniors as they navigate the college application and admissions process to ensure each participating student submits at least one application. As of the 2023 campaign year, more than 4.7 million students have been served, submitting more than 8.7 million college applications since the campaign’s inception in 2005.

In 2023, more than 9,253 high schools hosted an ACAC event that assisted more than 467,000 seniors with submitting at least one college application. This led to nearly 1,398,024 college applications being submitted during ACAC events in 2023 alone.

Latino Student Success

ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning has supported organizations that
provide targeted support to Latino students through comprehensive
resources, mentorship, and tailored programs aimed at improving
education outcomes. These initiatives focus on addressing the unique
challenges faced by Latino students, offering tools and guidance to navigate the education landscape successfully. Collaborating with
organizations like Excelencia in Education, the Association of Latino
Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS), and Univision, the Center has helped bridge opportunity gaps, fostering a more inclusive and equitable educational environment.

ACT Scholars Program

More than a decade ago, the ACT Scholars program was established to support the academic pursuits of graduate and community college students through ACT-funded endowments at the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College. These institutions align with ACT’s mission to help students achieve college and career success. The program emphasizes providing scholarships to students from populations for whom the cost of higher education may present a significant barrier to college access and achievement.

The Virginia Tribal Education Consortium

ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning supports the Virginia Tribal Education Consortium in bringing ACT’s resources to the Indigenous students and families of the seven federally recognized tribes in Virginia. The collaboration aims to enhance college and career readiness among Native American youth through workshops and resources funded by a federal grant. The Center has hosted multiple workshops, both virtual and in-person, involving various education and community leaders to provide
comprehensive support to indigenous students.

Meet The Team