Ellington

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court said Monday it will decide the extent to which public schools can use race in deciding school assignments, setting the stage for a landmark affirmative action ruling.

Justices will hear appeals from a Seattle parents group and a Kentucky parent, ruling for the first time on diversity plans used by a host of school districts around the country.

Race cases have been difficult for the justices. The court's announcement that it will take up the cases this fall provides the first sign of an aggressiveness by the court under new Chief Justice John Roberts.

The court rejected a similar case in December when moderate Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was still on the bench. The outcome of this case will turn on her successor, Samuel Alito.

Read entire column at this link:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/EDUCATION/06/05/scotus.schools.race.ap/index.html

Previous Comments

ID

106182

Comment

Some of my colleagues and I were discussing how it was ironic that this topic along with affirmative action were brought up today--- as well as an episode of Law and Order which highlighted the same topic. The storyline was a black stockbroker who killed a fellow stockbroker, using the defense of being dismissed because of his race. This topic always makes me pause--- as did the L&O episode. I can see points on both sides. Do you want to be seen for what you are able to do and how much you can achieve or just be considered one of a group that is filling a quota?

Author

c a webb

Date

2006-06-05T16:36:55-06:00

ID

106183

Comment

"I can see points on both sides." Me to, and it is a very debatable topic. Affirmative Action would not exist though if racism or discrimination existed still existed, IMHO.

Author

jan2006

Date

2006-06-06T13:05:55-06:00

ID

106184

Comment

jan2006, i agree with you. i guess if minorities weren't treated like second-class citizens at some point then it wouldn't be necessary to give some minorities more consideration in certain positions. i don't know. yes, i am black. i just want to make sure that any success that I receive is because I earned it. not because of my skin color. i feel the same way about anyone getting special treatment because of their skin color or where they come from. let your works speak for you.

Author

c a webb

Date

2006-06-06T16:48:07-06:00