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State affirmative action information

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Affirmative action
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Affirmative action
Affirmative action by state
Affirmative action and anti-discrimination laws
Affirmative action and anti-discrimination lawsuits
Civil Rights Act of 1866
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Consideration of race in college admissions

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Affirmative action refers to the steps taken by employers and universities to increase the proportions of historically disadvantaged minority groups at those institutions. Historically, affirmative action nationwide has taken many different forms, such as strict quotas, extra outreach efforts, and racial and gender preferences. However, strict quotas were banned in a 1978Supreme Court case,Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, and eight states have enacted measures prohibiting preferential treatment in public university admissions, state employment, and state contracting. Meanwhile, 28 states require affirmative action plans in either public employment or apprenticeship programs.

On June 29, 2023, theSupreme Court reversed lower court decisions inStudents for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College andStudents for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina, effectively ending the use of affirmative action in college admissions.[1] The ruling explicitly allowed national service academies to continue considering race as a factor in admissions for reasons of national security.[2]

Use the map or the list below to click through and learn more about affirmative action in your state.


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