The Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions has renewed the debate over legacy admissions. A Boston-based nonprofit filed a complaint alleging Harvard’s legacy and donor-based admissions favors white students, and the NAACP called on 1,600 public and private universities across the country to end legacy admissions.
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Discussion Questions
- What are legacy admissions?
- Who is Derrick Johnson, and what is his background?
- Why are civil rights lawyers and the NAACP calling to end legacy college admissions?
- How do colleges benefit from legacy admissions according to college leadership?
- What are adversity standards?
Focus Questions
Do you think legacy admissions continue at colleges across the United States? Why or why not?
Media Literacy: Journalist Geoff Bennett interviewed Derrick Johnson, the president and CEO of the NAACP. Who else would you have liked to have heard from regarding affirmative action and legacy admissions?
Extension Idea
Discuss with a friend, neighbor or classmate — what will be some long-term consequences of removing affirmative action? What would be the effects of removing legacy admissions?
The Supreme Court: Balancing the Branches Lesson Plans
Share My Lesson has free, tailored preK-12 resources to ensure your students leave your classroom equipped with a deeper knowledge of civics and government to think critically about today's toughest issues.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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