ASSESSING EQUITY IN ILLINOIS HIGHER EDUCATION

Ten years ago, Illinois adopted the 60 by 25 goal: that 60% of adults would have a postsecondary degree or credential by the year 2025 to meet projected workforce needs. Today, the percentage of jobs requiring postsecondary education is even higher. In 2009, approximately 38% of adults in Illinois had an associate’s degree or higher. In 2019, over 43% do. The following presentations will show equity through multiple lenses including race/ethnicity, gender, income, geographic equity gaps, specific challenges for institutions, and strategies to close gaps.