Student Admission: Equality in High Edcuation

The Oppressed: Ban on Education for Slaves

1774

In the 1700s, when slavery played a major role in the American way of life, African Americans (or Negros as they were called at that time), were not allowed the right to an education. In fact, slaves were not considered as American citizens, but as property of their white slave owners.

Right to an Education: Separate but not equal

1867

Black only universities were established after the American Civil War, often with the assistance of northern United States religious missionary organizations. These gave African Americans the same rights as their White counterparts to receive a Higher Education. However, it was a long road for African Americans to been educationally equal to Whites in America.

Affirmative Action

1961

Affirmative action was introduced in the early 1960s, as a way to combat racial discrimination in the hiring process, with the concept later expanded to address gender discrimination ( (Affirmative Action: History and Rationale, 1995). Affirmative action was first created from Executive Order 10925, which was signed by President John F. Kennedy on 6 March 1961. This order required government employers not to "discriminate based on race, creed, or color" (MacLaury, 2010).

Dixon v. Alabama State Board of Education

1961

The case of Dixon v. Alabama State Board of Education affected public education in favor of finalizing segregation laws within learning institutions and by ensuring students the right to due process. With Alabama State University still being a segregated college, this case was a final step to ensuring African Americans the same rights and liberties of their White counterparts.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964

Jul 2, 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark civil rights and labor law in the United State that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin (Transcript of Civil Rights Act (1964), 2017). It prohibited unequal application of voter registration requirements, racial segregation in schools, employment, and public accommodations. This act made it possible for African Americans to gain access to once white only universities and colleges.

TItle IV

1965

This title declares it to be the policy of the United States that discrimination on the ground of race, color, or national origin shall not occur in connection with programs and activities receiving Federal financial assistance and authorizes and directs the appropriate Federal departments and agencies to take action to carry out this policy (Transcript of Civil Rights Act (1964), 2017).

Regents of University of California v. Bakke

1978

The case of 1978 Regents of University of California v. Bakke was filed due to exclusion based on race. Failed admission of Allan Bakke, who applied twice to the University of California Medical School at Davis. The essential issue being determined by the court within Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) fell under both the 14th Amendment equal protection clause and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Affirmative Active Obsolete?

1990

Throughout the years, Affirmative Action has helped many African Americans in admissions to higher education. However, by the 1990s, the law of Affirmative Action had run its course and needed a major upgrade. In its place, many states came up with alternatve ways to make admission to college and universities equal and fair for all.

Texas House Bill 588

1997

The Texas House Bill 588 was created in 1997 to ensure minorities admission to state-funded institutions. The Bill provides an equal opportunity to students who show evidence of academic excellence within their high school and also provides students who would not normally be considered admission into a higher education institution a chance for admission (Lavergne & Hargett, 2006).

Closing the Gap

2015

In 2000, the THECB developed a new higher education plan for the state called “Closing the Gaps by 2015.” This plan is “directed at closing educational gaps in Texas, as well as between Texas and other states” in the form of student participation student success, excellence, and research (Closing the Gaps by 2015, 2017).

Reference

Feb 17, 2017

Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954)
Dixon v. Alabama State Board of Education, 294 F.2d 150 (1961)
Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265 (1978)

Reference

Sep 17, 2017

Affirmative Action: History and Rationale. (1995, July 19). Clinton Administration's Affirmative Action Review: Report to the President .
Albanese, A. (1976). The Plantation School. New York: Vantage Books.
Genovese, E. (1976). Rool, Jordan, Roll. New York: Vintage Books.
Lavergne, G. M., & Hargett, C. (2006). Perceptions and Opinions of University of Texas Entering Freshmen: The Impact of The Texas Top 10% Automatic Admissions Law. Admission Rsearch.

Refernece

Sep 17, 2017

MacLaury, J. (2010). President Kennedy’s E.O. 10925: Seedbed of Affirmative Action. Federal History 2010, 42-57.
Transcript of Civil Rights Act (1964). (2017, September 17). Retrieved from Our Documents: https://www.ourdocuments.gov/doc.php?flash=true&doc=97&page=transcript
Tex. H.B. 588 Cong. (1997) (enacted).
Title IV