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Essay on The Evolution of Affirmative Action: From Racial Quotas to Holistic Review - 113 words
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The Evolution of Affirmative Action: From Racial Quotas to Holistic Review
The evolution of affirmative action: from racial quotas to holistic review reflects a profound judicial shift in American jurisprudence. Initially conceived as a compensatory mechanism, early policies often utilized rigid numerical benchmarks. However, the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) invalidated strict racial quotas, instead endorsing race as a "plus factor" within a broader, individualized assessment. This transition toward a holistic framework emphasized diversity as a compelling state interest rather than mere remediation. Following recent rulings, institutions must now navigate a race-neutral landscape, seeking innovative pedagogical strategies to maintain pluralism without explicit racial considerations.