Moral Corruption at Community Colleges: DEI Harms Students Everywhere

In a new report, Heritage Foundation Will Skillman Fellow in Education Jonathan Butcher, who also serves as a Senior Fellow at the Goldwater Institute, discusses the proliferation of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiatives at community colleges around the country. The report’s summary and key takeaways are below, and you can read the rest at the Heritage Foundation.

Community colleges offer academic opportunities and career training for high school students, high school graduates, and adults. Yet community colleges have long reported dismal completion rates. Educators should focus on improving student outcomes, not diverting attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. There is no evidence that DEI programs improve student learning or help two-year college students earn a degree.

Community college leaders should close their DEI offices and redirect school spending to programs that are specifically designed to improve student outcomes.

Key takeaways:

1. Community colleges allow students who struggled in high school or who cannot afford a four-year college to continue their education and enhance their job prospects.
2. Yet DEI activists have captured community colleges across the country, which already have dismally high dropout rates. DEI programs do not improve student outcomes.
3. State lawmakers should prohibit public two-year colleges from using taxpayer resources to fund DEI offices, staff, and programs.

Read the rest of the report at the Heritage Foundation.

Jonathan Butcher is the Will Skillman Fellow in Education at The Heritage Foundation and a Senior Fellow at the Goldwater Institute.