Barriers to Education

• Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2016) show that the price of college textbooks increased 88% from January 2006 to July 2016. 
• The rapidly rising cost of textbooks in higher education has left many students without access to the materials they need to succeed. Studies show that 93% of students who use OER do as well or better than those using traditional materials, since they have easy access to the content starting day one of the course (Hilton et al., n.d.).

Historically Underserved Students

• The study results demonstrated that textbook costs were a substantial barrier for the vast majority of students, but that these barriers were even more significant among historically underserved students, confirming "textbook affordability as a redistributive justice issue, and positing OER as a potential avenue for realizing a more socially just college experience" (Jenkins et al., 2020). 

OER reduces equity gaps

• In 2020, students continued to skip buying assigned textbooks despite concerns it would impact their grade:
  • 65% of students surveyed reported skipping buying a textbook because of cost.
  • 90% reported being concerned that not purchasing materials will negatively impact their grade.

• Food insecure students were more heavily impacted by unaffordable course materials:

  • 82% of students who reported missing a meal due to the pandemic also reported skipping buying textbooks due to cost.
  • 38% of students who reported missing a meal due to the pandemic also reported they skipped buying an access code. This is twice the national average, and "an unacceptable barrier for students who already face huge challenges to completing their degree."

First-Generation Students

The study results (shown below) demonstrated that textbook costs were a substantial barrier for the vast majority of students, but that these barriers were even more significant among historically underserved students, confirming "textbook affordability as a redistributive justice issue, and positing OER as a potential avenue for realizing a more socially just college experience" (Jenkins et al., 2020). 

• Percentages reflected below are for first generation students
  • Did not buy required textbook for class due to costs | 84.3%
  • Did not have textbook on the first day of class due to costs | 67.9%
  • Did not buy textbook due to costs and later felt it hurt performance | 60.8%
  • Did not buy textbook due to costs, knowing it would hurt performance | 48.2%
  • Failed class due to textbook costs | 11.2%

Student Success

• When students save money on textbooks, they reinvest that money in the next semester on an extra class: students enrolled in two or more OER courses carried an average of 2.5 more next semester credits than those students who did not take any OER courses. 
• 87% of students said that not having to spend money on a textbook "made a difference in their life."
• 74% of students agreed or strongly agreed that the OER materials made it easier to learn and be successful.
• 85% of students agreed or strongly agreed that the quality of the OER course content was excellent and if given a choice, 73% prefer OER materials.
• 81% of faculty agreed or strongly agreed that their students were prepared the first week of class.