News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup

The Florida board of education gave final approval last week to ending racial and gender preferences in college admissions, clearing the way for the policy to take effect for students entering the state's 10 public colleges and universities next fall.

Gov. Jeb Bush, a Republican, who acts as the chairman of the state school board, cast a yes vote for his controversial proposal, said Keith Goldschmidt, a spokesman for the Florida board of regents, which oversees higher education. One member of the seven-member board was absent for the 4-2 vote on Feb. 22.

The regents had approved the plan unanimously on Feb. 17. ( "Plan To Ban Race in Admissions to Fla. Colleges Clears Regents," Feb. 23, 2000.) State law also required approval by the board of education, which oversees...