Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin
Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin
 
AERA et al. Bring Science to Bear in Major Affirmative Action Case
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On October 30, 2015, the American Educational Research Association filed an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. Supreme Court’s reconsideration of Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. The association was joined by nine other scientific societies in urging the court to consider an overwhelming body of scientific evidence relevant to the case. The court heard oral arguments in the case on December 9.

On June 23, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court made a 4-3 decision in Fisher, upholding the institution's admissions policy and affirming consideration of race as a factor in higher education admissions.
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After Fisher: What the Supreme Court's Ruling Means for Students, Colleges, and the Country
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On Tuesday, June 28, 2016, AERA held a briefing at the National Press Club on Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin. The briefing, titled “After Fisher: What the Supreme Court’s Ruling Means for Students, Colleges, and the Country,” featured a panel of five experts, including Gary Orfield, Theodore M. Shaw, Stella M. Flores, Liliana M. Garces, and Angelo N. Ancheta. The purpose was to address the implications of the decision for ensuring quality education for all students and graduates capable of contributing to the demands of a 21st-century workplace. Issues discussed included next steps in university admissions, best practices for colleges and universities, and potential programs in light of the scientific evidence on the educational benefits of student diversity and the importance of taking race into account.

Briefing Materials
View briefing evite here.
View Media Briefing Press Kit here.
View photos from the briefing here.

 
 
AERA Presents Amicus Brief on Strength of Science in Major Affirmative Action Case
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On Monday, December 7, 2015, two days before the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the reconsideration of Fisher v. University of Texas, Austin, a panel of experts discussed the scientific evidence on the use of race as a factor in university admissions policies and the educational benefits of student diversity.

Briefing Materials:
View briefing evite here.
Media Briefing Press Kit (View / Download)
View Amicus Brief here.

 

View the livestream webcast here.

 
 
Latest News
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Defending Affirmative Action
Inside Higher Ed, November 2, 2015
No consensus exists in American society about the practice of colleges considering race in admissions decisions. Since the 1970s, colleges have been doing so to try to enroll diverse classes of students (and of course under Jim Crow many colleges considered race to prevent diversity). Read more

Affirmative Action at Risk in Supreme Court Case
Inside Higher Ed, June 30, 2015
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed Monday to review the constitutionality of the consideration of race and ethnicity in college admissions cases. And many legal experts believe the justices are likely to be skeptical of such consideration. Read more

Supreme Court Is Last Hope for Affirmative-Action Critics in ‘Fisher’ Case
The Chronicle of Higher Education, November 12, 2014
The last hope for critics of affirmative action in the case Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin is the U.S. Supreme Court. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit on Wednesday denied a petition for a full hearing by the court, setting the stage for a second showdown in the Supreme Court, should it choose to take the case. Read more

Next Step in Affirmative Action Case: Full Appeals Court
Inside Higher Ed, July 30, 2014
Lawyers for Abigail Fisher on Tuesday filed an appeal in her suit challenging the way the University of Texas at Austin considers race in admissions. A panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, in a 2-1 ruling, this month rejected Fisher's challenge. Read more

Appeals Court Upholds University of Texas at Austin's Affirmative Action Policy
Inside Higher Ed, July 16, 2014 
A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld the University of Texas at Austin's consideration of race in admissions. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit found, 2 to 1, that the Texas program is legal. Read more

AERA Executive Director Comments on Obama Administration's New Guidance 
on the Voluntary Use of Race to Support Diversity in Higher Education
September 27, 2013
Felice J. Levine, executive director of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Education’s release of 
new guidance to colleges and universities on the voluntary use of race to support diversity in postsecondary education. Read more

AERA Executive Director Comments on Supreme Court’s Fisher Ruling
June 25, 2013
Felice J. Levine, executive director of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to send the Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin affirmative action case back to the Fifth Circuit Court.
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AERA's 2015 Amicus Brief
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Read the full text of the brief as well as supporting documentation here.

 
 
Additional Information on 2015 AERA et al. Brief
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View information on the 2015 amicus brief co-signers, links to articles cited in AERA et al. amicus brief, and media coverage here.

 
 
Other Information and Resources
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View links to the 2015 research amicus briefs, special section of Educational Researcher, and more here.