Change Begins with Education and Requires Action

Originally published: June 8, 2020

July 2020 Update: Supporting Social Justice

ETS has made corporate contributions of $25,000 each to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundationand to The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Education Fund. Both organizations are at the forefront of eradicating racism and protecting the civil and human rights of those who are marginalized in our society, and these donations are a part of our ongoing commitment to eliminating racism and prejudice and increasing equity in education and our broader society.

Since its inception in 2013, Black Lives Matter has focused on eradicating white supremacy and on organizing grassroots efforts in communities across the nation to combat acts of violence against Black people. With a mission to “build an America as good as its ideals,” The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Education Fund was established in 1969 to foster public support of policies that promote and protect all people’s civil and human rights. Those include educational equity, voting rights and criminal justice reform. 

In addition to giving, ETS took a stand to #StopHateforProfit. Answering the calls for action from the Anti-Defamation League, NAACP, Sleeping Giants, Color of Change, Free Press and Common Sense, ETS ceased advertising for all of its brands on both Facebook and Instagram through the end of July as part of the Stop Hate for Profit campaign. We believe that by coming together with other participating businesses, we can hold Facebook accountable and demand that they stop generating ad revenue from hateful content, provide more support to people and communities who are the targets of racism and hate and increase safety in private groups on its platforms.

###

Change Begins with Understanding and Requires Action

Recent protests against racial injustice, inequality and violence toward Black communities have brought into stark focus the dangerous divisions that persist in our society. While we at ETS share in the feelings of despair and rage, it has also reignited our sense of purpose as an education nonprofit. Through more than seven decades of research, we know that inequities in education create inequities in health, income, opportunity and happiness.

We also know that change begins with knowledge. In the spirit of change, we are sharing some of our own research on what we’ve learned about these issues: from creating paths to success at each level of education to understanding and mitigating the disparities in performance between Black and white students to the effects of educational funding decisions.

But we can do more.

We are taking a hard look at our own company and culture to ensure we provide a safe space where each of our employees can thrive. Outside our walls, we will use our convening power in the education sector to spur discussion and ideas in a relentless pursuit of equity. We will continue to research these topics and produce data, insights and resources that can inform meaningful change. And we will continue to work with organizations across all facets of education to ensure these issues remain a priority until they are eradicated.

ETS was founded on the notion that all individuals must have access to education, not just those of a certain background, means, or race. Our mission and why we exist is to help advance quality and equity in education for all. We continue to believe in what’s possible when everyone can improve their life through learning. The journey to equity is one we must take together, and we are committed to getting there.

ETS Resources

Below is a curated collection of some of the most relevant ETS research and forums addressing topics related to racial inequality. We will continue to update this list as we reinforce our commitment to equity for learners worldwide.

Reports

• Challenges and Opportunities in Achieving the National Postsecondary Degree Attainment Goals(2017)
• Alternative Paths to Diversity: Exploring and Implementing Effective College Admissions Policies(2017)
• The Dynamics of Opportunity in America: Evidence and Perspectives(Book) (2016)
• Mind the Gap: 20 Years of Progress and Retrenchment in School Funding and Achievement Gaps(2016)
• Choosing our Future
  • Choosing Our Future: A Story of Opportunity in America (PDF)(2016)
  • Choosing Our Future (Video)
• Stereotype Threat, Inquiring About Test Takers’ Race and Gender, and Performance on Low‐Stakes Tests in a Large‐Scale Assessment(2015)
• The Black-White Achievement Gap: When Progress Stopped (PDF)(2010)
• America’s Perfect Storm
  • America’s Perfect Storm: Three Forces Changing Our Nation’s Future (PDF)(2007)
  • America's Perfect Storm (Video)
• Locked Up and Locked Out: An Educational Perspective on the U.S. Prison Population (PDF)(2006)

Forum Recaps

• Taxing the African American Student: The Impact and Mitigation of Structural Stigma on Test Performance and School Success (PDF)(2020)
• A Focus on Educational Assessment: Advancing African-American Education Excellence (PDF)(2018)
• Bringing Students Together: The Obstacles & Opportunities of School District Consolidation (PDF)(2016)
• Addressing Achievement Gaps
  • Addressing Achievement Gaps Advancing Success for Black Men in College (PDF)(2014)
• Black Male Teens
  • Black Male Teens: Moving to Success in the High School Years (PDF)(2013)
• Middle School Matters
  • Middle School Matters: Improving the Life Course of Black Boys (PDF)(2012)
• A Strong Start
  • A Strong Start: Positioning Young Black Boys for Educational Success (PDF)(2011)