The American Educational Research Association (AERA), in cooperation with the Association of American Colleges and Universities and the American Association for Higher Education, has filed amici curiae briefs supporting the University of Michigan in its efforts to diversify its undergraduate and law schools through race-conscious admissions.
In filing these friend-of-the-court briefs that support the University's affirmative action policies, the American Educational Research Association expresses its strong support for educational diversity, and the use of narrowly tailored, race-conscious admissions policies to advance compelling interest in academic admissions. The body of research is persuasive, and AERA urges the court to take it into account. In the briefs, AERA also asserts the validity of research as a basis of decision-making within the judicial process.
"AERA is dedicated to advancing science-based knowledge of educational systems and processes, and our learned society has a long-standing commitment to affirmative action and to diversity," states Felice J. Levine, AERA executive director. One of AERA's major projects resulted in the report, The Dynamics of Race in Higher Education, which examines the research base that can contribute to the current debates about the value, means of achieving, and consequences of racial diversity in colleges and universities.
On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the landmark desegregation decision Brown v. Board of Education, AERA affirms the importance of examining systematic research that can inform decisions about educational equality. The research and data cited in the AERA briefs persuasively show that admissions policy, as defined by the University of Michigan, promotes diversity on university campuses, contributes to the intellectual environment, and prepares students for participation in the workforce and society.
Arguments in the two cases, Gratz v. Bollinger, et al. and Grutter v. Bollinger, et al. will be heard April 1 in the U.S. Supreme Court, and the impact of the court's decision will be far-reaching in higher education.
The briefs were prepared by Angelo N. Ancheta, lecturer, Harvard Law School; and Christopher F. Edley, Jr., professor of law, Harvard Law School; and The Civil Rights Project, Harvard University.
The American Educational Research Association represents approximately 20,000 educators who conduct research and evaluation in education. Founded in 1916 and based in Washington, D.C., AERA offers a comprehensive program of scholarly publications, training, fellowships and meetings to advance educational research, to disseminate knowledge, and to improve the capacity of the profession for the public's good. Members center their efforts on ensuring that educational research addresses fundamental problems and informs practice and policy.
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