Controversial Law School Study Underscores Need for Affirmative Action, Say Critics

Researchers and educators from around the country are criticizing a controversial study claiming that the number of African American law students would increase without affirmative action programs, and that because of such policies, African Americans attend law schools where they cannot compete and as a result, either drop out or fail to pass the bar.  Critics say the study, "A Systemic Analysis of Affirmative Action" by UCLA Law Professor Richard Sander, in fact, reaffirms the need for affirmative action. Sander's study will be published in the Stanford Law Review Journal next year.  What makes Sander's study controversial, according to critics, is the methodology and analysis used.  "Sander's analysis is flawed. He uses old data from 2001 to support his claims that without affirmative action there would only be a 14% decline in the number of African American law school applicants. If Sander had used new data from 2002 and 2003 there would be a more significant decline of 35-45 % of African American applicants to law school and incidentally, a 25% increase in white admittees," said Frank Wu, dean of Wayne State University Law School.  "Furthermore," continued Wu, "to say that African American students cannot compete is absurd. What is certain is if law schools were to adopt Sander's policies there is little doubt that colleges and universities will become segregated." [more]

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