Affirmative Action

In this June 8, 2021 photo, with dark clouds overhead, the Supreme Court is seen in Washington.
The U.S. Supreme Court in October will hear arguments in a pair of cases about the consideration of race in college admissions.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Law & Courts K-12 Groups Back Racial Diversity as Supreme Court Schedules Affirmative Action Arguments
Teachers' unions and school administrator groups ask the court to uphold the consideration of race to achieve a diverse student body.
Mark Walsh, August 3, 2022
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5 min read
A man talks on his phone on the steps of Harvard University's Widener Library, in Cambridge, Mass. on June 26, 2020.
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up major cases on affirmative action in admissions at Harvard University, above, and at the University of North Carolina.
Elise Amendola/AP
Law & Courts U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Major Cases on Affirmative Action in Education
The outcome could affect K-12 policies when the justices rule on race-based policies at Harvard and the University of North Carolina.
Mark Walsh, January 24, 2022
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3 min read
The sun rises behind the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington on Nov. 10, 2020.
The U.S. Supreme Court is still weighing whether to hear a case challenging Harvard University's race-conscious admissions policies.
Alex Brandon/AP
Law & Courts High Court Asks Biden Administration Views on Harvard Affirmative Action in Admissions
Some had expected U.S. Supreme Court justices to jump at the chance to reconsider the practices in education, but that's delayed for now.
Mark Walsh, June 14, 2021
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3 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
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Equity & Diversity Opinion 'All the Black Kids at Harvard Are Rich,' and Other Dangerous Myths About Affirmative Action
Should colleges prioritize racial or class diversity? It isn't actually an either/or choice, writes education professor Julie J. Park.
Julie J. Park, February 26, 2019
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4 min read
College & Workforce Readiness New Emails Surface in Trump Administration Probe of Race-Conscious College Admissions
New emails show that an investigation of race-based admissions in at least one university are getting support and direction at the top levels of the Justice Department's civil rights division.
Catherine Gewertz, January 12, 2018
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2 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Unease Over Justice Dept. Stance on Admissions
There are mixed reactions to a report that the Justice Department is recruiting lawyers to investigate and potentially sue colleges and universities over racial preferences.
Mark Walsh & Catherine Gewertz, August 22, 2017
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5 min read
Federal Democrats Press Trump Administration on Plans for Affirmative Action
In a letter, top Democrats in Congress on education and justice seek answers on how the administration plans to proceed when it comes to race-based college admissions.
Alyson Klein, August 21, 2017
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1 min read
Abigail Fisher, right, who challenged the use of race in college admissions, walks with lawyer Edward Blum following oral arguments last December at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington.
Abigail Fisher, right, who challenged the use of race in college admissions, walks with lawyer Edward Blum following oral arguments last December at the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP-File
Law & Courts Aftershocks From Affirmative Action Ruling to Hit K-12, College
Educators at all levels believe they have some room to maneuver now that the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a race-conscious admissions policy at the University of Texas.
Mark Walsh, July 7, 2016
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7 min read
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s courtroom chair is draped in black to mark his death. The vacancy has set off a political battle, and left the outcome of several cases in the balance.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia’s courtroom chair is draped in black to mark his death. The vacancy has set off a political battle, and left the outcome of several cases in the balance.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Law & Courts Scalia's Death Muddies Fate of Education Cases
The unexpected vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court comes with several disputes being closely watched by K-12 educators—including one involving union fees—still pending.
Mark Walsh, February 19, 2016
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10 min read
Education Justice Scalia's Comments in Affirmative Action Case Draw Fire
Comments by Justice Antonin Scalia on race in the U.S. Supreme Court this week drew growing criticism and sparked a closer look at the theories he referenced.
Mark Walsh, December 11, 2015
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4 min read
Law & Courts High Court Showdown Looms on Race-Based Admissions
A dispute involving admissions policies at the University of Texas at Austin is up for arguments before the Supreme Court once again, and K-12 groups are weighing its implications carefully.
Mark Walsh, December 8, 2015
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4 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Union Fees, Affirmative Action on High Court's 2015-16 Docket
Cases before the U.S. Supreme Court this term may reach into teachers' paychecks, union treasuries, and college admissions offices.
Mark Walsh, September 29, 2015
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6 min read
Equity & Diversity U.S. Education Department Upholds Standing of Affirmative-Action Policies
In a May 6 "dear colleague" letter, the federal education department upheld the rights of schools to use affirmative-action policies despite a Supreme Court ruling in April.
Andrew Ujifusa, May 6, 2014
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1 min read
Students walk through the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The United States Supreme Court has upheld Michigan's ban on race-based preferences in university admissions enacted by voters in 2006.
Students walk through the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The United States Supreme Court has upheld Michigan's ban on race-based preferences in university admissions enacted by voters in 2006.
--Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press/AP
College & Workforce Readiness Michigan Affirmative-Action Ruling May Have Modest K-12 Effect
The U.S. Supreme Court upholds a Michigan initiative barring race-based preferences in admissions at the state’s universities, but no one opinion commanded a majority.
Mark Walsh, May 2, 2014
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5 min read
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