Comments to OMB on Effective Methods for Assessing Agency Policies and Actions for Equity

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a request for information in May 2021 to assist in its efforts to identify effective methods for assessing whether agency policies and actions (e.g., programs, services, processes, and operations) equitably serve all eligible individuals and communities, particularly those that are currently and historically underserved. On July 6, 2021, Amy Laitinen, Wesley Whistle, and Sarah Sattelmeyer submitted public comments on behalf of New America's higher education team that highlighted five areas—among many others—where the federal government could assess how vulnerable students and borrowers are served by the government’s policies and actions as a first step towards making higher education more equitable.