The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) joined The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in support of California Proposition 16 (Prop. 16), which would overturn Proposition 209, California's existing ban on affirmative action in college admissions, according to a news release by the IHEP.
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition representing more than 220 national organizations and 70 national civil rights organizations, recently wrote a letter endorsing Prop 16.
The letter states that Prop. 16 provides an opportunity to rectify the negative impact affirmative action bans have had on women and people of color, especially in California and will ensure that equal opportunities of public higher education to all communities.
Studies show higher education remains the surest path to upward social and economic mobility. A 133% pay disparity between college graduates and non-college graduates in California is an example of the significant benefits of higher education and why it is so important for communities that have historically been excluded from these opportunities to be fully and affirmatively included.
According to a recent study, Proposition 209 has caused a decline in the total number of high-earning early-30s African American and Latino Californians by at least 3-6 percent and led to a decline in systemwide underrepresented group enrollment by at least 12%. This has not only lead to fewer students from underrepresented groups being enrolled in selective public institutions, but also inequitable outcomes in degree attainment and salary stagnation.
The letter concludes for a call to California to lead by example. Prop. 209 has been adopted by eight other states and Prop. 16 is a chance to show the benefits when a state chooses to embrace diversity.
The full letter can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up