So Justice Scalia apparently said something that was very logical but politically incorrect.
If it wasn't for the race sensitivity that many people have, I think most people would agree with him. I think that most people would want their own children to attend a good school that is matched to their current capabilities. Since I went to South Dakota State University in Brookings, and have had an excellent fulfilling career. It has a good accredited engineering program but sure is not anything special.I do not understand the obsession of some folks to get into the "top schools".
On NPR someone was criticizing Scalia's comments and arguing that minority students with lower capabilities and support systems can do fine at very rigorous universities if the university provides the necessary support systems... So not only does this person want the university to pick less capable students based on their race (ie reverse discrimination), they also want the university to cover the extra costs incurred in helping these student to succeed in their very rigorous programs.
Morgan Freeman How to Stop Racism: Stop Talking About It !!!
"There are those who contend that it does not benefit African Americans to get them into the University of Texas, where they do not do well, as opposed to having them go to a less-advanced school, a slower-track school where they do well. One of the briefs pointed out that most of the black scientists in this country don't come from schools like the University of Texas. They come from lesser schools where they do not feel that they're being pushed ahead in classes that are too fast for them.
He went on to say, "I'm just not impressed by the fact the University of Texas may have fewer [blacks]. Maybe it ought to have fewer. I don't think it stands to reason that it's a good thing for the University of Texas to admit as many blacks as possible." MJ LinkNYDN In Praise of Scalia's Comments
If it wasn't for the race sensitivity that many people have, I think most people would agree with him. I think that most people would want their own children to attend a good school that is matched to their current capabilities. Since I went to South Dakota State University in Brookings, and have had an excellent fulfilling career. It has a good accredited engineering program but sure is not anything special.I do not understand the obsession of some folks to get into the "top schools".
On NPR someone was criticizing Scalia's comments and arguing that minority students with lower capabilities and support systems can do fine at very rigorous universities if the university provides the necessary support systems... So not only does this person want the university to pick less capable students based on their race (ie reverse discrimination), they also want the university to cover the extra costs incurred in helping these student to succeed in their very rigorous programs.
Morgan Freeman How to Stop Racism: Stop Talking About It !!!
4 comments:
Kevin Drum used the remarks to raise a questions about Scalia's sharpness. Since he didn't take a position on "mismatch theory" I don't know what to think about it. Seriously, I am on the fence on this, I agree with the opinion voiced by the NPR person to an extent, If a student is number one in their class, top ten, or even top 5% maybe they should get in and be given support, if needed.
I think Texas currently does affirmative action by automatically accepting students from the top ten percent of their class to public universities. In cases where students attended low achieving high schools probably many of these "top students" are not fully prepared. These students with a really low SAT/ACT probably should not be admitted.
How Sharp is Justice Scalia These Days?
Back when I attended U of M they had General College for less well prepared students (that is not where I attended, I was accepted into the engineering school) Anyway, that was closed quite awhile ago with the idea that community college was more appropriate for less prepared students. I do support the idea of free community college for low income kids. The ones who do will there could transfer to whichever univeristy to which they can get in.
Will all due respect to Mr. Freeman, no problem goes away unless you confront it.
AS for Scalia's argument, he neglected the other briefs in the case that poked some serious holes in that theory.
Please provide sources to these other briefs.
I can believe what NPR said... In essence... They can succeed if the college dumps a lot of money into supporting them.
My point is that this is not fair to the college or the other students at the college. Our society already ear marks a lot of money to subsidize Higher Ed and help lower income folks attend college. (almost $4oo billion/yr) Now it sounds like folks think we should also spend a bunch more so that they can attend the top colleges.
Brief
And here's a different academic study of the issue.
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