How the Fisher Case Relates to Equity in Public Schooling

How the Fisher Case Relates to Equity in Public Schooling – Podcast Episode 159 | Classnotes Podcast 159

Classnotes Podcast (December 17, 2015) The U.S. Supreme Court has twice heard arguments in the Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin court case focusing on use of race as one of many factors in college admissions. In 2015, IDRA filed a friend of the court, or amicus, brief in the case encouraging the court to consider the context for minority students in preK to 12th grade in Texas.

In this episode, David Hinojosa, J.D., IDRA’s national director of policy and director of the IDRA South Central Collaborative for Equity, gives a quick background of the case and outlines IDRA’s amicus brief, which presents research on several challenges facing Latino and African American students in Texas public schools, including under-resourced schools, under-preparation for college entrance exams, disparate student discipline referrals, student mobility, and the importance of diverse experiences.

David is interviewed by Laurie Posner, MPA, IDRA’s Director of Civic Engagement.

Show length: 17:09

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Resources

IDRA Amicus Brief in Fisher v. UT
http://createsend.com/t/r-97E8BD355A25D8682540EF23F30FEDED

AERA Amicus Brief in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin
http://www.aera.net/EducationResearch/LinkingResearchtoPublicInterest/AmicusBriefs/FishervsUniversityofTexasAustin/PressBriefing/tabid/13378/Default.aspx

Affirming the Right to Inclusion and Success in Education – June 24, 2013
Statement by Dr. María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, IDRA President and CEO, on the U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Fisher vs. University of Texas at Austin
http://createsend.com/t/r-D3911F01FE9E078A2540EF23F30FEDED

Higher Education Success – Key System Strategies
by María “Cuca” Robledo Montecel, Ph.D.
http://www.idra.org/resource-center/higher-education-success/

College Access and Graduation
by Albert Cortez, Ph.D.
http://www.idra.org/resource-center/college-access-and-graduation/

Supporting the Dream of Going to College Through Powerful Student Engagement
by Héctor Bojorquez
http://www.idra.org/resource-center/supporting-the-dream-of-going-to-college/

“Policy Solutions for Better Latino Access and Success in Higher Education” (pdf)
Intercultural Development Research Association, March 2005
http://www.idra.org/images/stories/InterActionPolicySolutions.pdf

Access at Risk – The Michigan Case
by Rosana G. Rodríguez, Ph.D., and Albert Cortez, Ph.D.
http://www.idra.org/resource-center/access-at-risk/

A Stronger Nation through Higher Education
Lumina Foundation, June 13, 2013
http://strongernation.luminafoundation.org/report/2017/#nation

Toward an Understanding of Percentage Plans in Higher Education: Are They Effective Substitutes for Affirmative Action?
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, April 2000
http://www.usccr.gov/pubs/percent/stmnt.htm

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Show Notes

David shares the background on Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, the arguments of the two sides, and what’s at stake in the case.

David talks about the history of admissions of Latino and African American students at UT and their overall representation at the university, including the impact of the 1996 Hopwood v. Texas ruling by the Fifth Circuit to disallow the use of race in school admissions and the subsequent adoption of the race-neutral Top Ten Percent Plan.

David reinforces that race is not a controlling factor in UT admissions decisions and is only one of several considerations used in narrowly tailored circumstances.

* David outlines the IDRA position in the amicus brief he filed with the Fisher case, in which he asked the Supreme Court to consider the context of four systemic challenges facing minority students in Texas today from preK to 12th grade in Texas:
• inequitable school funding
• disparate student discipline
• student mobility
• dropout rates

David shares his impressions from the Supreme Court hearing itself and talks about the nature of the questions and observations made by the Justices.

As the Supreme Court weighs a ruling in the case, Lori asks David what families of middle and high school students should consider as their children prepare for the college-application process.

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