IDRA Releases Preliminary Findings Report
(San Antonio • April 8, 2025) Barriers to access college are a longstanding challenge for Texas students from underrepresented backgrounds. Federal and state restrictions on diversity, equity and inclusion introduced new barriers.
IDRA released a preliminary report this month from its study of the impact of Texas Senate Bill 17’s ban on college diversity, equity and inclusion offices in 2023 and the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that same year to significantly limit race-conscious admissions in higher education on marginalized college-going students.
“We know that students from underrepresented backgrounds face specific challenges to access and succeed in college,” shares Dr. Chloe Latham Sikes, lead researcher of the IDRA study.
“In light of new policy changes that affected so much of campus life, we wanted to understand the impact on the college access pipeline which starts long before a student steps foot onto a campus. And high school students are concerned about the early impacts on higher education– specifically in finding support systems, a sense of belonging and opportunities to get involved on campus.”
Students, parents and educators in the study reported a range of impacts on high school students. The primary impacts relate to how students think they belong in college given their identities, how they can build community in college, and how they can find necessary support systems.
- Students, parents and educators report that recent policy changes have negatively impacted college access for historically-marginalized students.
- Students worry about belonging in college and finding friends and community.
- Students, parents and educators are concerned about scholarship opportunities and other funding that help make college affordable.
- Students and parents worry about their physical and mental safety on college campuses.
- Students and educators report that there are fewer campus supports for them to access and succeed in college.
See the preliminary report: A Community-Based Study on the Impact of Texas’ SB 17 on Marginalized College-Going Students, by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D.
How to Get Involved in the Study – We want to hear from you!
In the next phase of this study, IDRA will hold focus groups with students, parents and educators to start developing community resources and tools to navigate policy changes. Fill out the interest form to learn more and sign up to participate.
To learn more about the study, contact Dr. Latham Sikes at chloe.sikes@idra.org.
This research initiative is generously funded by Greater Texas Foundation, whose vision is for all Texas students to have equal opportunity to access and succeed in postsecondary education. The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Greater Texas Foundation or any director, officer, or employee thereof.
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