Affirmative action ruling creates big opportunity for US schools. The kids deserve it | Opinion

The U.S. Supreme Court decision declaring unconstitutional affirmative action programs for college admissions has sent shock waves through the country.

Largely condemned by left opinion and praised by those on the right, the post-decision commentary has neglected to notice one powerful benefit of the decision: It will focus attention on the need for our secondary schools to do a better job of ensuring all students who are interested in college are prepared with the knowledge and skills necessary for success.

The affirmative action regime certainly has increased the number of Black and other minority students attending colleges and universities. However, this reality is of little benefit if a high percentage of these students fail to complete their college degrees. This reality is, unfortunately, supported by data.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development reports college dropout rates by demographics. For the year 2019, 72% of Asian students completed their college degrees; 67% of white students completed; 55% of Hispanic students completed, while only 46% of Black students who started their college studies finished their undergraduate degrees.

There are a variety of reasons why college students do not complete their studies; student illness, family finances and students’ changing interests, for example.

Still, one of the keys to success is to have a proper match between the preparation of a student and a university.

The Center for Law and Social Policy exists for the purpose of reducing poverty and promoting equity. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organization reports on college preparation and has concluded in the past that many Black and minority high school students graduate unprepared for the rigors of college.

The real benefit of the Supreme Court decision declaring unconstitutional affirmative action in college admissions is to refocus our attention on improving instruction in our middle and high schools, both public and private for all students.

Unfortunately, many school districts have implemented a particularly harmful form of affirmative action. Either enrolling all students automatically into college prep classes, as the Tacoma School District has chosen to do, or by diluting the rigor of instruction to create the appearance of a positive “equity” approach.

For example, many school districts around the country have decided to eliminate classes designated as college prep, on the mistaken assumption these distinctions are inherently discriminatory because they under-enroll minority students. This practice can only have the effect of reducing the opportunity for all students to be prepared for college-level academics.

The end of affirmative action policies creates a new opportunity for our secondary schools to dedicate themselves to providing rigorous programs for all students regardless of their chosen post-high school plans, and to take action to affirm each student as a person, deserving of full respect, regardless of their race, color or creed.

Mike Jankanish is the former chair of the history department at Tacoma’s Silas High School. He retired in 2019.