Exploring the Causal Effect of Test-Optional Policies on Enrollment Rates for Underrepresented Minority Students

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 1:30 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Navigating Access and Equity in Higher Education: Financial Aid, Enrollment Policies, and Pathways to College Success (Table 13)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of test-optional policies on underrepresented minority (URM) enrollment rates at U.S. higher education institutions from 2004-2020. Utilizing IPEDS data and a longitudinal difference-in-differences approach, we assessed how changes in these policies influenced URM enrollment over time. Our findings indicate that test-optional policies significantly increased URM enrollment rates by an average of 3.58 percentage points. However, the effects varied across implementation year and changed dynamically in the years following implementation. The results suggest that while test-optional policies generally promote diversity, their impact can differ based on institutional contexts and the timing of policy adoption. This research provides valuable insights into the role of admissions policies in enhancing educational equity.

Authors

• Mara McFadden, James Madison University

• Joseph M. Kush, James Madison University