1. Affirmative Action S.A.D.
Macdonald
Poli Sci 101

2. On your own, answer the following in complete sentences.
What does the 14th Amendment Section 1 say?

3. On your own, answer the following in complete sentences.
14th Amendment Section 1:
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

4. On your own, answer the following in complete sentences.
What does the 14th Amendment Section 1 say?
What has the Supreme Court determine it means?

5. Separate but equal educational facilities for racial minorities is inherently unequal violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

6. On your own, answer the following in complete sentences.
What does the 14th Amendment Section 1 say?
What has the Supreme Court determine it means?
What does affirmative action mean to you?

7. Affirmative Action
An action or policy favoring those who tend to suffer from discrimination, especially in relation to employment or education; positive discrimination.

8. On your own, answer the following in complete sentences.
What does the 14th Amendment Section 1 say?
What has the Supreme Court determine it means?
What does affirmative action mean to you?
Which five factors should colleges take into account when choosing who to admit to their incoming freshman. Rank those in order of importance.

9. If a factor is repeated, place a check mark next to it.
At your table,
One by one, share top three factors for admitting freshman to colleges. Write down a group list.
If a factor is repeated, place a check mark next to it.
From group list, rank the top three factors.
Be prepared to share with the class.

10. Would this class be diverse or homogeneous?
Look at the class list,
What would this incoming freshman class look like? (racially, ethnically, socio-economically) Why?
Would this class be diverse or homogeneous?
What SHOULD a freshman class look like? Why?

11. Write an answer and a justification for your answer.
TAKE A STAND ACTIVITY
Do you believe race should be a factor in admissions process of universities?
Write an answer and a justification for your answer.
Move to the YES side of the room or the NO side of the room.
As a group, share your justification and choose one representative to present to the class.

12. Fall 2012 SC heard arguments from attorneys representing Abigail Fisher who was denied entrance to University of Texas in 2008
Ms. Fisher, a Caucasian women, claimed the university violated the equal protection clause of 17th Amendment when it used race as a factor during admissions selection
Previous affirmative action cases involving admissions to publicly funded universities (UCLA and UofM) set precedent that race could be used as factor in admissions
Ms. Fisher contends that UTs, policy of using race doesn’t meet standards of other universities

13. Universities nationwide used race during admissions b/c claim they have a compelling interest to create a “critical mass” of diverse students
About ½ of students at Univ. of TX are Caucasian (49.9%) and the other are minority and int’l students
UT practices Top Ten Percent policy where any student ten top 10% of class is automatically accepted

14. Given the rational segregation of school districts in TX, TPP diversifies overall student body
Remaining 20% are admitted based on test scores, grades and a Personal Achievement Index (PAI) which includes written essays, leadership experience & race
Ms. Fisher was in top 12% and believes she didn’t get accepted due to race component of PAI

15. Question for the SC is to what extent race may be a factor in admissions process?

16. Jigsaw vocabulary preview – Use GOOGLE; you will get more complete answers.
Divide up words equally among group members. Research your words, then share with group.

17. Partner “As” will argue race SHOULD be a factor in admissions process
Take SIDES
Partner “As” will argue race SHOULD be a factor in admissions process
Parter “Bs” will argue race SHOULD NOT be a factor in admissions process

18. Watch video on background on case / complete video guide
Gather INformation
Watch video on background on case / complete video guide
Close read articles / answer questions
Create timeline of events, dates and people who impacted affirmative action cases

19. Structured Academic Debate
With your “side” complete the appropriate column in the “Notetaking chart”.

20. Structured Academic Debate
“As” present arguments / evidence
“Bs” take notes; may ask CLARIFYING QUESTIONS ONLY
“Bs” present arguments / evidence
“As” take notes; may ask CLARYFYING QUESTIONS ONLY

21. Structured Academic Debate
DEBATE!! (8 minutes)
As a table, come to consensus if possible. Write paragraph that explains the consensus and justification.

22. Write an answer and a justification for your answer.
TAKE A STAND ACTIVITY
Do you believe race should be a factor in admissions process of universities?
Write an answer and a justification for your answer.
Move to one side of the room.
As a group, share your justification and choose one representative to present to the class.

23. Closure / Follow Up
Imagine you are an admissions officer at a major university in your state.  There is one seat left to fill.  Two students have applied that have the identical test scores, GPA, leadership attributes, etc., but one is the first to attend college in her family.  Write an acceptance letter to one explaining why they were accepted, and a letter denying acceptance to the other explaining why.