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Digital Divide Compounds U.S. Education Equity Problem, First-of-Its-Kind Survey Reveals

ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning Offers Policy Solutions Focused on Increasing Access IOWA CITY, Iowa, Sept. 6, 2018 — The digital divide, the gap between students who lack access to technology and those students who have it, is compounding equity problems within U.S. schools, according to new research from ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning. Underserved students with access to only one electronic device in their home — oftentimes only a cell phone — may face challenges that don’t exist for their peers in terms of completing schoolwork.

New Documentary Examines Career Pathways of Individuals Who Are ‘Beating the Odds’ Despite Adversity

Costa Mesa, Calif., June 4, 2018 – Beginning June 3, a new one-hour documentary special, “Beating the Odds,” will be streaming at beatingtheoddsfilm.com and air nationally on public television. Produced by career exploration nonprofit Roadtrip Nation, and presented by KQED, “Beating the Odds” follows three college students as they explore careers through a series of interviews with remarkable professionals who have overcome life challenges to succeed in their fields. The college students are overcoming obstacles of their own, including opioid-addicted parents, navigating the foster care system, and surviving poverty.

Steps2College Launches as New Way to Help High School Seniors

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Sept. 18, 2017— In an unprecedented collaboration, higher education advocates and leaders are partnering on a new effort that supplements their existing work to help high school students learn about, apply for, and transition into college.

Danger Time for College Students: Working at a Job More than 15 Hours a Week May do More Harm Than Good, Especially for Underserved Students

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Aug. 28, 2017—Working more than 15 hours a week while in college may do more harm than good for college students from underserved backgrounds, according to a new report from the ACT Center for Equity for Learning. The result of working more hours contributes to “disparities in students’ academic and career success” is one of the findings of “Who Does Work Work For? Understanding Equity in Working Learner College and Career Success.”

ACT Establishes ACT Center for Equity in Learning

IOWA CITY, Iowa—ACT today announced the establishment of the ACT Center for Equity in Learning. The Center will advance ACT’s nonprofit mission to help people achieve success in education and the workplace through partnerships, research and initiatives aimed at closing gaps in equity and achievement for underserved learners.