A National Study of the Relationship Between the Rates of State Adult Population Educational Attainment and Current Social Laws and Policies

Abstract

This nation-wide study investigated the relationship between state adult population educational attainment rates of high school degree or higher, bachelor’s degree or higher, and advanced degree or higher and the three social laws and policies of state LGBT non-discrimination employment laws, state immigration laws regarding access to higher education, and state decisions regarding the establishment of the Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplaces. State educational attainment rates were retrieved from existing 2009 American Community Survey census results. The method of analysis consisted of multiple ANOVAs. Regarding LGBT laws, results indicate states that prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation or prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity have statistically higher bachelor’s degree attainment rates compared with states that have no laws. Also, states that prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity have statistically higher bachelor’s degree attainment rates compared with states that prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity only in public employment. In addition, states that prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation or prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity have statistically higher advanced degree attainment rates compared with states that have no laws. Regarding immigration laws, results indicate states that have no laws, ban enrollment, or have some systems that deny enrollment have statistically lower bachelor’s degree and advanced degree attainment rates compared with states that have some policies that provide access to higher education for undocumented students. Lastly, regarding state health insurance exchange decisions, results indicate states that declared state-based exchanges have statistically higher bachelor’s degree and advanced degree attainment rates compared with states that defaulted to the federal government. In addition, states that declared state-based exchanges have statistically higher bachelor’s degree attainment rates compared with states that declared a partnership exchange and/or split duties between federal and state.