In order to present an alternative to race/gender based Affirmative Action, both Texas and Florida instituted a plan that would allocate college spots to the top 10% of each state high school. This plan would lead not only to racial diversity, but also to class diversity. It was viewed by many as the solution to the sticky issue of college admissions.
But not any longer. Here's a snippet (because registration may be required to see the whole piece:)
Critics of the rule say that students from poor high schools without the resources of wealthier institutions are not ready for the work at an elite public university, and that too many graduates of high-powered high schools are leaving the state for college when they do not get into the University of Texas."Those kids are not prepared," said Douglas S. Craig, a lawyer in Houston whose son, Charles, was not accepted at the university. Charles Craig went to the University of Colorado at Boulder instead, Mr. Craig said, adding that getting into the top 10 percent at his son's selective private high school was very difficult. "His class was two-thirds National Merit scholars and semifinalists. Their scores are all very, very high."
I figured this would happen. Note that the same metaphors are coming into play--standards, preparation, etc. Here's the question for me. Why don't the not-so-elite students simply TRANSFER SCHOOLS?
But that would be too much like right. I'm thinking the plan will be gradually abolished. Too bad.
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