Equity in Access to Higher Education
Overview
Our Experts
Every student deserves a fair opportunity to pursue higher education, regardless of their race, income, or disability status. For decades, the University of California’s reliance on discriminatory standardized testing—SAT and ACT scores—blocked access for hundreds of thousands of talented students from historically marginalized communities. Research shows these tests do not measure a student’s potential to succeed; instead, they reflect and reinforce systemic inequities tied to wealth and privilege.
Public Counsel works to eliminate barriers to higher education and promote more equitable admissions policies. In partnership with community-based organizations, we led a groundbreaking lawsuit challenging the UC system’s use of the SAT and ACT in admissions and scholarship decisions. The resulting court victory forced UC to stop using the tests, opening the door to record gains in underrepresented student admissions and advancing a more inclusive vision for public higher education.
Litigation
Our staff work with clients and partners to identify patterns of injustice that impact and harm the communities we serve. Through strategic litigation, we effect large-scale change and systems reform while amplifying the power of affected communities and advancing public discourse.
Smith v. Regents of University of California
Education Equity
12/10/19
