Course Access
Across New York State, Black, Latinx, Native American students, and students from low-income backgrounds are disproportionately excluded from advanced coursework, creating significant equity challenges. Access to courses like computer science, Calculus, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and college credit opportunities in high school gives students a competitive edge in college admissions and increases their likelihood of success in higher education and future careers.
Our Equity-Centered Approach
We work alongside our partners of the New York Equity Coalition to create an equity narrative in support of course access statewide through data analysis and student perspective. Our collective efforts helped enact New York State legislation in 2023 that will increase access to advanced coursework by directing school districts to inform families early about the benefits of enrolling in advanced classes, as well as how and when to enroll.
We continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that increase the number of Black, Latinx, Native American students and students from low-income backgrounds enrollment in advanced coursework. We support initiatives that will provide a better understanding of which students are participating in programs and the barriers to increased participation.
Latest Resource
Report: Within Our Reach. Who’s in? Who’s Out?
This report explores several reasons for inequitable access to advanced coursework and examines statewide enrollment figures for the 2021-22 school year, as well as whether students of color and students from low-income backgrounds attend schools with such courses.
Featured Reports and Resources Over the Years
Report: Regional Data on Course Access
Student Voice: Equitable Access Now Blog Series
Report: Proficient and Passed Over
Blog: Bill That Would Improve Access to Advanced Coursework Passes!
Data Snapshot
Only
%
of Native Americans, 9% of Black, and 8% of Latinx students are enrolled in AP/IB math/science courses statewide
Only
%
of students from low-income backgrounds attend a school that offers AP/IB courses
More Resources
EdTrust-New York statements on 2022 State of the State proposals
The following can be attributed to Dia Bryant, executive director of EdTrust-New York: “Governor Hochul’s State of the State agenda includes several promising proposals to advance educational equity in New York State from birth through college and into the workforce....
Within Our Reach
Thousands of New York students are under-enrolled in advanced coursework or attend schools that do not offer these courses. Learn more.
New York’s education system denies students of color access to courses that prepare them for college, careers, and active citizenship
Coalition of civil rights, education, parent, and business organizations calls on state leaders to take steps to ensure all students have access to rigorous coursework NEW YORK – A new analysis released today by the New York Equity Coalition found that across New York...
#NYEquityAdvocate: Amber Rangel Mooney, The Business Council of New York State
Read how Amber, a long-time Ed Trust–NY partner and member of the New York Equity Coalition, adds an essential perspective to the education equity conversation in New York.
Coalition calls on New York school districts to invest new state and federal funding into supporting students with the greatest needs
Civil rights, education, parent, and business groups outline three key investment areas to ensure more educational equity NEW YORK – As school districts across New York State anticipate receiving an additional $8.9 billion in funding through the American Rescue Plan...
To Build Better Pathways to College Attainment, We Need to Disrupt Educational Redlining in Math Courses
College admissions experts and workforce development professionals agree that math plays a significant role in access to postsecondary institutions and financially stable careers. Yet math is often left out of conversations on education equity in the earliest grade...