Changing Demographics in Education
In this Educause article from 2019, we see that the K-12 system and several states were already POC majority.
In this article from EDgage from 2022, we see that due to falling birth rates, there will be fewer prospective students.
(They say that it was 2021 when we reached majority POC for those under age 18.)
In the previous chart, we see the lower graduation rates of
POC in Minnesota.
Let's repeat that:
- Fewer students overall
- Higher percentage of POC students
- Lower graduation rates of POC students
If we don't make changes,
loss of students will create funding problems,
which will cause campus closures.
What can we do to improve
retention and student success?
How Libraries Can Help
- OER and textbook affordability initiatives
- Create more inclusivity and belonging (eg. student curator program)