Minorities are still severely under-represented in selective schools and in certain professions. Minorities tend to be segregated in schools and tracks that do not prepare them for college. What Can You Do Learn more about what affirmative action is and is not. It is not about set-asides or different standards, but about equal opportunity. Affirmative action is one important remedy for increasing the presence of historically underrepresented groups in higher education and in certain professions.
Evidence shows that affirmative action goals succeed and make large contributions.
Understand the admissions policies of your own state s flagship school and find out how they evaluate students for admission. Encourage minority students to keep applying to their top schools despite the threats posed to affirmative action programs and the hype about a drop in minority admissions. Question the use of standardized test scores to define merit, and encourage admissions officials to broaden their evaluation techniques. Alert people to the fact that discrimination and racism still exists and abolishing programs such as affirmative action is premature and can have damaging consequences. If you or someone you know has benefited from affirmative action be proud and talk about the progress made by minorities through such civil rights policies.