Civil Rights Commission Finds Fault With Percentage Plans
Panel says plan is no substitute for actively recruiting students of color
By Charles Dervarics
So-called “percentage plans” that guarantee college admission to students who finish near the top of their high school graduating classes do not promote diversity or successfully reach underrepresented groups, according to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.
Venturing into a potential political minefield given some states’ support for these programs, the commission nonetheless has issued a report asserting that such policies are not substitutes for comprehensive efforts to recruit and support students of color.
“Simply guaranteeing admission to a certain percentage of students is not enough. The plans must be supplemented with proactive recruitment, financial aid, outreach and academic support programs,” says Dr. Mary Frances Berry, chairwoman of the commission.
