Affirmative Action in Education

Affirmative action programs have played a critical role in opening up opportunities for women and minorities to begin to take their rightful place in our society. The Supreme Court has recognized the importance of diversity in education, but equal access to education is under attack.  We’re working to support affirmative measures to secure equal opportunities in education for all students.

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Fact Sheet | Affirmative Action and What It Means for Women

July 01, 2000

Affirmative action programs have played a critical role in opening up opportunities for women and minorities to begin to take their rightful place in our society. But equal opportunity for women is still a long way off.  This fact sheet highlights the barriers to advancement women face and explains what affirmative action means for women.

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Fact Sheet | Anti-Poverty Programs Are No Substitute for Affirmative Action

April 01, 1997

Some commentators have suggested that affirmative action programs that take race, national origin or gender into account should be eliminated entirely and replaced by affirmative action programs to aid the economically disadvantaged --i.e., anti-poverty or "need-based" remedies. Programs to eliminate poverty and enhance opportunities for the economically disadvantaged are critically needed. But affirmative action based on economic need cannot provide an adequate or workable substitute for programs aimed specifically at eliminating the past and present effects of discrimination based on race, national origin, or gender.

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