NEA Urges Supreme Court to Uphold Affirmative Action in Admissions

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court heard oral argument today in two cases, Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina. The court will decide whether to overrule decades of precedent allowing public and private universities to consider race as a limited factor among many in making student admissions decisions.

The National Education Association filed an amicus brief in the cases, arguing that the court should uphold inclusive admissions. For more than four decades, colleges and universities seeking to achieve the educational benefits of diversity in their student body have been able to consider an applicant’s race, as one of many factors, in the context of a holistic admissions process. The court will deliver its opinion in the cases by June 2023.

The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle:

“Most of us want a country, schools and a future that includes all of us and where we all belong. But for too long, politicians used color-coded barriers to prevent Black, brown and Indigenous people from accessing the opportunities we all deserve and seek to achieve our dreams. When we work together to repair the mistakes of our past, we ensure a stronger future for all of us. We are stronger when our country, communities, schools, and future includes and reflects all of us.”

“Recent events demonstrate that racism and discrimination are not artifacts of American history but persist in every aspect of our society, including our schools, colleges and universities. Affirmative action and programs like it safeguard a stronger future by expanding higher education opportunities to those who have been historically denied a fair shot. When we ensure the many talents and experiences of students of color aren’t overlooked in admissions processes that tend to be biased against them, we create schools, a country and a future that includes us all. We urge the court to uphold affirmative action in higher education admissions decisions.”

Follow on Twitter at @NEAmedia and @BeckyPringle

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The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.