The U.S. Supreme Court has opted not to review a case concerning Boston’s top public high schools’ zip-code-based admissions process aimed at fostering racial diversity. This decision arrives after a significant Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in universities led to the exploration of “race neutral” strategies in educational institutions.
The Supreme Court’s refusal to take up the Boston case leaves intact a decision by a federal appeals court that sided with the school district. In 2020, Boston school officials replaced the traditional test-and-grades admission system with a new model. This model allocated seats by zip code, ensuring places for students with top GPAs from each neighborhood, thus aiming to reflect the geographical diversity of the city more accurately.
This move sparked controversy, leading to a lawsuit from a coalition of parents and students who argued that the proportion of White and Asian students admitted had decreased significantly—from 61% to 49%. The group contended that the policy was racially motivated and violated the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented from the Court’s decision to pass on the case, suggesting that this inaction allows for possible continuation of unequal race-based selection, contrary to previous rulings against affirmative action.
The federal court had previously found that the admissions policy did not possess discriminatory intent. The court noted that despite the changes, Asian American and White students’ admission rates still exceeded their representation in the applicant pool. Furthermore, Boston school officials noted that the admissions policy has since evolved, mixing grades, standardized test performance, and census data, without relying on individual racial identity.
A similar case brought forth by parents in Virginia involved the Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, which the Supreme Court also chose not to review. These cases underscore a broader national debate on educational equity and the complexities of implementing diversity policies post-affirmative action.
The Supreme Court’s decision to abstain from reviewing the Boston case signifies a critical juncture in the ongoing discourse over educational diversity and race-neutral policies. As schools nationwide continue to grapple with these complex issues, the conversation around achieving equitable education without relying on race remains contentious and unresolved.
Source: CNN
