Racial inequities in the College admissions process

Created by: Ms. Miu

Maria Teresa Mirabelle MS

Have you ever wondered how U.S. universities and colleges make its admissions decisions? You are about to become a College Admissions Officer, entrusted with the power to make the final decision upon admitting students to your school. Your opinion will affect the lives of students applying to your school. Some people are saying that college admissions are unfair. You are asked by the Dean to review the current admissions process.

Using the Public Policy Analyst (PPA), you will conduct a review of current admissions policies at colleges, focusing specifically on their impact on racial minorities. You will then analyze the effectiveness of these policies and develop a more equitable solution.

1) After you have collected all the necessary information, type a paper entitled “How do universities and colleges deal with the racial inequity of the admissions process?” fulfilling the following requirements:

a.     A typed cover page.

b.    Two to five typed double spaced pages, using 1inch margins and a font size of 12.

c.     Your paper must begin with an introduction that clearly defines the issue.

d.     Your paper must address each of the tasks described above.

e.     Your conclusion must answer the question “How do universities and

colleges deal with the racial inequity of the admissions process?”

AND/OR

2) Create a seven-slide Power Point Presentation

The first six slides should follow the steps of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA).  The last slide will be a bibliography slide using the MLA format.

You will follow the six steps in the PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST process, using the worksheets and resources provided below. You will complete the PPA worksheets and use them as resource material to complete your two tasks.

You will use the internet sites listed in the RESOURCE section. You should also use printed material such as magazines, texts and journals.

STEP 1: Define the Problem

How do the current college admissions policies affect racial minorities?

Complete Worksheet #1

STEP 2: Gather the Evidence

Use the resources below to find information and statistics regarding racial inequality in US universities and colleges.

Use Worksheet # 2

STEP 3: Determine the causes

Why is their a problem with racial inequality in higher education? There are many possible answers to this.

Use Worksheet #3 

STEP 4: Evaluate the existing public policy

What is the current policy regarding racial inequality? Is this policy effective? Does this policy help resolve the problem or make it worse?

Use Worksheet #4

STEP 5: Develop your own policy

Think of a variety of solutions to this problem.  Explain why you think that these solutions will help resolve the problem.  Also, examine any flaws that might be present in your solutions.

Use Worksheet #5

STEP 6: Choose the best policy

Weighing your different options, choose the best potential solution for this problem.

Use Worksheet #6

The class will be divided into groups of six as follows:

Student # 1: Recorder & Writer-Who will keep track of materials found and will
write reports on the group’s progress.

Student # 2: Researchers (2)- Who will look at the suggested websites and
related materials seeking to complete the Public Policy
Analyst and give each group member information to
write their individual papers.

Student # 3: Timekeeper and Organizer- Who will keep the group on track, plan
the research effort and assist others in their tasks. This student is considered the group’s leader.

Student # 4: Presenters (2) -Who is responsible for communicating the group’s
findings to the class

The presenter will coordinate the oral report but all members will take part in some form.

After completing this process you will be a PUBLIC POLICY ANALYST!

USE THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES TO ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR TASK:

Search Engines

https://www.google.com

http://www.yahoo.com

http://www.altavista.com

Databases and Websites

Affirmative Action and Diversity Project

American Association for Affirmative Action

National Organization for Women

Facts about Race/ Color Discrimination

Equal Protection and Rights

New York Times

Equity Initiative

Racial Inequality in the College Admissions Process Rubrics

Research Paper	3	2	1
Content	Writing shows in-depth analysis of racial inequality in the college admissions process and offers insightful proposals according to the Public Policy Analysis methodology.	Writing shows basic understanding and analysis of racial inequality in the college admissions process and offers adequate solutions.  It briefly addresses each of the steps of the PPA.	Writing shows summarization of the research information.  It may contain vague references to the steps of Public Policy Analysis.
Structure and Organization	Writing is generally well organized according to definite plans.  Topics or ideas generally clear. Typically clear beginnings and ends. Most transitions smooth and logical. Details generally varied and vivid.	Controlling topics, ideas, or overall plans always present but do not always focus the writing.  Endings may sometimes be awkward or abrupt. Transitions are typically logical but may on occasion lack depth and/or direct relevance.	Topics or overall plans may not be clearly present. Possible digressions or elaborations confusing to reader. Beginnings and endings may be awkward or abrupt. Key elements may be unevenly developed or omitted. Details used inconsistently.
Style	Sound reasoning. Clear position. Opinions thoughtfully supported. Credible evidence.  Avoids exaggeration. Compelling arguments. Fact/opinion distinguished. Conclusions well-grounded. Displays evidence to advantage. Believable and defensible. Convincing.	Few surprises. Predictable, well-worn arguments. Credible but limited support. Acceptable, knowledge as evidence. Fact/opinion sometimes overlaps.	Minimal content.  Unsupported statements.  Weak, questionable evidence. Position weak/unclear/shifting. exceedingly reliant on repetition and exaggeration.

PowerPoint Presentation

All aspects of the PPA analysis are present within the presentation. Each slide is readable, contains only significant information Bibliography is complete and sources are accurately cited in MLA format.

Few examples of creative effort. Credible but limited arguments and facts. Facts and opinions sometimes overlap. Font and color is moderately readable, too much information is contained on each slide Bibliography is completed, sources are inaccurately cited.

Minimal content.  Unsupported statements.  Weak, questionable evidence. Position weak/unclear/shifting. Tendency to rely on repetition and exaggeration.  Font and color impede readability, each slide is too wordy or repeats what is contained in the report word for word Bibliography incomplete or missing, sources inaccurately cited.

You should have learned, from completing this web quest that racial inequality is a major social issue in the college admissions process.. You should also have gained information and policy making skills that have helped develop effective policies to confront racial inequality and its devastating effects on school admissions. By following the steps of the PPA you now have a better understanding of the interactions among researchers, debaters and policy makers. As you can now clearly see, Public Policy Analysts play a vital role in improving the lives of all college applicants. Let’s hope you made a difference.

New York State Performance Standards in English

E1c. Read and comprehend informational materials.

E2a. Produce a paper on information and observations.

E3c. Prepare and deliver an individual presentation.

E4b. Analyze and subsequently revise work to improve its clarity

and effectiveness.