Professor Defends Affirmative Action Study

[bodypilot90 0]

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A new study on affirmative action that says racial preferences used in law school admissions have a negative effect is coming under fire.

The study, written by UCLA law professor Rick Sander , says unprepared African-American students have difficulties succeeding in elite law schools and many end up dropping out. It also says that those who do graduate are four times less likely than white students to pass the bar exam on the first try.

"You're much more likely to graduate and pass the bar ... even more likely to get a job if you're in the middle of the class at a somewhat lower school," said Sander.

Critics say the study ignores the positive impact that affirmative action has among black students who are pursuing a career in law.

Former O.J. Simpson prosecutor Chris Darden said many black students struggle initially but later end up learning more and becoming better lawyers.

"Some young man, some young woman ... might find his way to one of the premier law schools in the country ... and perhaps find his way to the Supreme Court," said Darden.

Sander said the real factor involved is not racial but preferences of any kind and that there's no upside to getting thrown in over your head if you aren't prepared to swim.

AA is misguided always was always will be.

[Nightingale 0]

It's interesting...remove the racial reference in the bold sentence and you get: Unprepared students have difficulties succeeding in elite law schools and many end up dropping out. well, duh.

Overall, I agree that affirmative action in educational institutions is generally ineffective. Education needs to be fixed at the elementary, middle, and high school level. Tossing a student into a university or graduate program which they are not academically prepared for is just asking for problems, and it is a huge blow to the self esteem when you get kicked out of school. Many never go back, whereas if they'd started at a different university or a junior college, they may have succeeded. Struggled at first to fill in their knowledge gaps, but maybe eventually succeeded.

I wonder what his definition of "unprepared" was. That's a pretty broad term. You have to be pretty well prepared to succeed at virtually any law school. I'm wondering if the students the study is referring to, the ones who would succeed at a different school, could have been helped with academic assistance at their current school.

[TomAiello 26]

I believe he used the word "unprepared" as shorthand for "below average (for that admission class) test scores and grade point average."

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[lawrocket 3]

Quote

Education needs to be fixed at the elementary, middle, and high school level. Tossing a student into a university or graduate program which they are not academically prepared for is just asking for problems, and it is a huge blow to the self esteem when you get kicked out of school. Many never go back, whereas if they'd started at a different university or a junior college, they may have succeeded.

I've long argued this, but unfortunately that's what what policy is about. AA policy is like having tough standards on the appearance of skyscrapers while forgoing any standards about the strength of the supporting structure. The thing may look pretty, but the facades come crashing down over and over again.

Fix the problem in the primary schools. Of course, that requires political and community will. Tough to get that will when it's easier to blame someone for the problems, isn't it?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[bodypilot90 0]

well if we could get the NEA out of the schools that would be a big step in the right direction.