The theory basically claimed that racial preferences in admissions to elite schools actually HARMED those minority students who were admitted with objectively lesser qualifications. His theory held that because those students did not have high enough test scores and grades as others admitted to those elite universities, they would therefore lag behind in their school work, receive lesser grades and lesser job opportunities post-graduation, and possibly not graduate at all.
His theory further held that those minority students would be far more successful in life going to schools where their credentials were good enough for admission without racial preferences. He suggested that going to a state school, for example, would lead to higher grades, higher rates of graduation and better life opportunities.
For this theory he had his life ruined. He was metaphorically crucified in the public square as a “racist.”
Notes & Links on Richard Sander.
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Overall, freshman enrollment of underrepresented minority groups increased by 8 percent at public flagship universities. The analysis, by a nonprofit organization, Class Action, concludes that those schools were among institutions that benefited as a result of higher rejection rates for Black and Hispanic students at the nation’s 50 most selective schools.
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UCLA Law students lead protest against professor who opposes affirmative action