The inequity of opt-in educational resources and an intervention to increase equitable access

Authors
Carly D. Robinson,
Biraj Bisht,
Susanna Loeb
Publication
EdWorkingPapers.com
Year of Study
2025
Subject
Literacy

Billions of dollars are invested in opt-in educational resources to support struggling students. Yet, there is no guarantee these students will use these resources. We report results from a school system’s implementation of on-demand tutoring. The take up was low. At baseline, only 19% of students ever accessed the platform and low-performing students were even less likely to log in. We conducted a randomized controlled trial (N=4,763) testing behaviorally-informed messages directed at students and/or their parents to increase participation. Communications to students alone had no impact, whereas those to parents and students together increased usage by 46%. Nonetheless, take-up remained low, highlighting that opt-in resources may increase—instead of reduce—inequality. Without targeted outreach, opt-in educational resources are unlikely to reach many students who could benefit.