Affirmative action has become symbolic of the public policy debate about equity, race, ethnicity, and gender. Proponents of affirmative action need to address the issues of (1) demonstrable qualification for employment; (2) entitlement to fulfilled expectations; (3) interference of affirmative action with legitimate right to educational/employment…

Despite federal investments in student aid--plus tax credits exceeding $70 billion and state expenditures for institutions and students exceeding $65 billion--record high financial barriers erected by recent changes in tuition and financial aid have prevented hundreds of thousands of college-qualified high school graduates from enrolling in…

The concept underlying affirmative action emerged in 1941, but resistance to it persists. Equity management is a form of leadership committed to diversity as a strength, not a weakness. Federal policy has led in this approach, and historically black colleges provide models. Higher education must now forge effective policies and practices. (MSE)

Issues of equal educational opportunity are seen to be transformed into issues of effectiveness, efficiency, or cultural pluralism. It is suggested that issues of equal educational opportunity are likely to be resolved only by reducing the capacity of the educational system itself to determine the future and the value of individuals. (MLW)