Blueprints for Reform
The university system in the United States has accomplished a great deal of good, but it has strayed from its chief goals of scholarly inquiry and responsible teaching, especially in … Continue reading “Blueprints for Reform”
To Create Equal Opportunity, Look Beyond Traditional Bachelor’s Programs
A perennial issue in U.S. politics: If the government causes an injustice, may it commit more injustices to right previous wrongs? That was, in essence, the issue being debated at … Continue reading “To Create Equal Opportunity, Look Beyond Traditional Bachelor’s Programs”
The Strange Attack on Blind Reviewing
Two years ago, the Great Awokening came for blind auditions in America’s top orchestras. Any educational or cultural differences were insufficient explanations for the disparities between white and black players … Continue reading “The Strange Attack on Blind Reviewing”
What the Justices Heard and Said
One week ago today, attorneys for Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) laid out their cases against Harvard and the University of North Carolina before the U.S. Supreme Court. The justices … Continue reading “What the Justices Heard and Said”
Even Liberals Should Be Skeptical of Racial Preferences in Higher Education
In most public discussions, “affirmative action” in higher education is treated as one of the core issues that divides liberals from conservatives. It is rare in public life to hear … Continue reading “Even Liberals Should Be Skeptical of Racial Preferences in Higher Education”
Measuring Discrimination: Racial Preferences at Public Flagship Institutions
From the Executive Summary of Measuring Discrimination Racial Preferences at Public Flagship Institutions: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects Americans from discrimination based on race, color, … Continue reading “Measuring Discrimination: Racial Preferences at Public Flagship Institutions”
The Truth About Student Mismatch
Among the arguments against the policy of admitting students to colleges because they have the right ancestry—that is, they appear to come from “underrepresented” minority groups—is the fact that it … Continue reading “The Truth About Student Mismatch”
The Pushback Against Classroom Indoctrination Begins
America is finally waking up to the fact that poisonous, divisive ideas are proliferating in public education, from pre-K to graduate school. The question is how to push back against … Continue reading “The Pushback Against Classroom Indoctrination Begins”
Self-Identified “Compelling Interests” are Not a License to Discriminate
To what extent can a selective educational institution advantage certain racial groups in admissions decisions without discriminating against other groups simultaneously? How can said institutions balance external demands for fairness … Continue reading “Self-Identified “Compelling Interests” are Not a License to Discriminate”
Rescuing “Virtue and Talents” Amidst the War on Tests
On March 28, 2022, Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions and Student Financial Services at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced the school’s plan to restore the consideration of standardized … Continue reading “Rescuing “Virtue and Talents” Amidst the War on Tests”