The New Report: Affirmative Action

By Peter Katel, Oct. 17, 2008

Is it time to end racial preferences?

Since the 1970s, affirmative action has played a key role in helping minorities get ahead. But many Americans say school and job candidates should be chosen on merit, not race. This November, ballot initiatives in Colorado and Nebraska would eliminate race as a selection criterion for employment or college candidates but would allow preferences for those trying to struggle out of poverty, regardless of their race. It’s an approach endorsed by foes of racial affirmative action. Big states, meanwhile, including California and Texas, are still trying to reconcile restrictions on the use of race in college admissions designed to promote diversity. Progress toward that goal has been slowed by a major obstacle: Affirmative action hasn’t lessened the stunning racial disparities in academic performance plaguing elementary and high school education. Still, the once open hostility to affirmative action of decades ago has faded. Even some race-preference critics don’t want to eliminate it entirely but seek ways to keep diversity without eroding admission and hiring standards.

* Has affirmative action outlived its usefulness?
* Does race-based affirmative action still face powerful public opposition?
* Has affirmative action diverted attention from the poor quality of K-12 education in low-income communities?

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