Texas Top 10% Law Receiving Heightened Scrutiny

In Texas, anyone in the top 10% of his or her high school class gains automatic admission to any public state university. The law, designed in response to federal legislation against racial preferences, was created to help those who attend less competitive high schools and might otherwise not have such opportunities.

While the law does provide opportunities to the disadvantaged, some believe that it works against applicants who attend strong high schools, take tough courses, but aren't in the top 10% of their classes. Others think that the law doesn't do enough, and that there are better ways to help disadvantaged applicants.

What do you think?

Friday December 22, 2006