Call to Reform TEF to Penalize Universities for Racial Equity Failures
A significant proposal is targeting the UK’s Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). Advocates are urging the system to penalize universities for failing on racial equity. This would make addressing racial disparities a core component of the official measure of teaching quality. The TEF currently awards gold, silver, and bronze ratings for teaching standards. Critics argue it overlooks critical equity outcomes for Black and minority ethnic students. Therefore, the call is to embed racial justice directly into the accountability framework.
Addressing the Awarding Gap
The central issue is the persistent degree awarding gap. White students are significantly more likely to receive a first or upper-second-class degree than their Black peers, even with similar entry grades. Penalizing this gap in the TEF would force institutional action. The proposal suggests that universities with large, unexplained equity gaps should be ineligible for top ratings. This would shift equity from a side initiative to a strategic priority. Consequently, it would create a powerful financial and reputational incentive for change.
A Broader Definition of “Teaching Excellence”
Proponents argue true teaching excellence cannot exist without equity. A university cannot be “excellent” if its outcomes are racially biased. This reform would redefine excellence to include success for all students, not just the majority. Implementing this would require robust, disaggregated data on student outcomes. It represents a move toward accountability for systemic barriers within institutions. Ultimately, it aims to use the TEF’s leverage to drive tangible progress toward racial justice in higher education.
