Dear Team DPS,
Let me be clear. I think that Thursday’s United States Supreme Court ruling is wrong. The justices determined that colleges and universities can no longer take race into consideration as a specific basis for granting admission. This decision troubles me as a benefactor of affirmative action. It troubles me as an educator. And, it troubles me as a father of two young children of color.
I know that this ruling will lead to a decrease in the amount of Black and other minority individuals from pursuing higher education and the many lucrative career opportunities that result from graduating from college. In my mind, I see the faces of thousands of African-American and other minority scholars who see this Supreme Court decision as another barrier to them as they strive to better themselves academically. It closes the door to many people. Again, this action troubles me. It troubles me to my core.
While we can all agree that academic performance, extracurricular participation and life experiences should all play a part in the admissions process for our colleges and universities, I would argue that, in addition, these bastions of higher education have a responsibility to embrace, respect and value diversity, equity and inclusion by considering other factors that help ensure that their campuses are inclusive.
Affirmative action in admission policies has helped ensure that minority students gained access to some of our nation’s top colleges and universities, many of which I personally supported during my years as a College Advisor. I vividly remember engaging with the admissions counselors at these institutions, explaining to them the need for racially diverse learning environments that benefit all students, especially students of color and other students from historically underserved groups. On Thursday, the highest court in the land took action that will make it harder for people of color to gain access to our top institutions of higher learning.
As some of you are already aware, I was a child who, without the opportunities education and higher education afforded me, would not have become the productive citizen I am today had I not been given access to those opportunities. And, the unfortunate reality for me and for countless others is that, without race-conscious affirmative action, we may not have even been allowed to get our feet in the door to attend college. The Supreme Court took away that access.
This ruling emphasizes the importance of all educators, from preschool teachers through those who help students achieve advanced degrees, to continue the fight for educational equity. I am calling on all members of Team DPS to double down on our commitment to continue the important work of improving educational outcomes for all of our students, while specifically addressing the educational gaps between students of color and white students. In DPS, we are all firm believers that, despite the recent ruling by the Supreme Court, diversity, equity and inclusion are crucial to the success of this great nation.
In collaboration,
Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent
