Education Department Highlights ‘Race-Neutral' Admissions Initiatives
Americans should not look to achieve diversity through affirmative action, secretary says
By Charles Dervarics

Americans should not look to achieve diversity through affirmative action and other "shortcuts that divide us by race," says U.S. Education Secretary Roderick Paige as he mounts a new Bush administration campaign to showcase ‘race-neutral' approaches to diversity.

With the U.S. Supreme Court taking its long-awaited look at affirmative action in college admissions, Paige outlined his views in a speech before Hispanic educators and in comments at the release of a report touting alternatives that he says can reach the same objective of diversity.

The administration's campaign — taking shape as the high court reviews the University of Michigan affirmative action cases — includes a new study on race-neutral initiatives, as well as an upcoming national conference to showcase alternative programs. As the court prepared to hear April 1 arguments, Paige — the first African American secretary of education — left no doubt of his views on the issue.

Policy "shortcuts" such as affirmative action "betray the nation's fundamental principles," the secretary said.

The Bush administration also criticized affirmative action in its arguments in the two Supreme Court cases, which involve the University of Michigan law school and undergraduate school. Conservatives are critical of both programs, particularly the undergraduate policy in which Michigan can award 20 additional points to applicants based on race.

Instead of affirmative action, the administration says, colleges and the nation can promote diversity through various means such as:

• Preferences based on income rather than race;

• Stronger recruitment efforts to additional high schools;

• Support for advanced placement and other initiatives at low-performing high schools; and