Thomas Billy
Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
Ann Fam Med. 2025 Jan 27;23(1):73-78. doi: 10.1370/afm.230646.
The impact of the Supreme Court of the United States ruling against race-conscious admissions extends beyond college admissions to professional schools. Based partially on the idea that enough time had elapsed for achievement of the stated goals of affirmative action, the court ruled race-conscious admissions are unconstitutional under the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The ruling left a crack in the door to higher education, however, allowing students to write an essay showing how race or ethnicity affected their lives. But without guidelines or a standardized approach, admissions committee members' background, personal experiences, and biases could influence evaluations.Historically, Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) have experienced residential segregation. Thus, they are products of poorly funded and understaffed K-12 schools. Grade point average and standardized tests scores are heavily weighted during the admissions process in higher education; however, these metrics largely reflect the attributes of K-12 schools and access to advanced placement and science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) courses. These courses are often lacking in schools with predominantly BIPOC students. We must continue to develop and support K-16 STEMM programs.Higher education institutions must respond to the Supreme Court ruling. Recruitment and retention strategies should encourage, guide, and support students who pursue health care careers. Enhanced admissions processes must include a standardized, unbiased approach in assessing personal essays and the lived experience. Admissions committees should complete implicit bias and cultural humility training. Support and allocation of funds must be provided to maintain training. Safeguards must ensure applicant and institutional legal compliance.
美国最高法院对基于种族的招生录取做出的裁决，其影响范围不仅限于大学招生，还延伸到了专业院校。部分基于这样一种观点，即已经过去了足够长的时间来实现平权行动的既定目标，法院裁定基于种族的招生录取违反了第十四修正案的平等保护条款，是违宪的。然而，该裁决在高等教育的大门上留下了一道缝隙，允许学生撰写一篇文章，展示种族或族裔如何影响了他们的生活。但由于缺乏指导方针或标准化方法，招生委员会成员的背景、个人经历和偏见可能会影响评估。从历史上看，有色人种中的黑人、原住民（BIPOC）经历过居住隔离。因此，他们是资金不足、师资匮乏的从幼儿园到12年级（K-12）学校的产物。在高等教育招生过程中，平均绩点和标准化考试成绩的权重很大；然而，这些指标在很大程度上反映了K-12学校的特点以及获得大学先修课程和科学、技术、工程、数学和医学（STEMM）课程的机会。在以BIPOC学生为主的学校里，这些课程往往很缺乏。我们必须继续发展和支持从幼儿园到16年级（K-16）的STEMM项目。高等教育机构必须对最高法院的裁决做出回应。招生和留校策略应该鼓励、引导和支持追求医疗保健职业的学生。强化的招生流程必须包括一种标准化、无偏见的方法来评估个人文章和生活经历。招生委员会应该完成隐性偏见和文化谦逊培训。必须提供支持和资金分配以维持培训。保障措施必须确保申请人和机构符合法律规定。
