Texas "Top Ten Percent" plan

Definition

The Texas 'Top Ten Percent' Plan is a law that guarantees admission to public universities in Texas for students who graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class. This policy aims to increase diversity in higher education by allowing high-achieving students from various backgrounds, particularly those from underrepresented areas, to access college education.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Implemented in 1997, the Texas 'Top Ten Percent' Plan was a response to a Supreme Court ruling that limited the use of race in college admissions.
2. The plan significantly increased the enrollment of minority students in Texas public universities, especially after the University of Texas at Austin adopted it.
3. Under this plan, students can be admitted regardless of standardized test scores if they are in the top ten percent of their high school class.
4. In 2009, a legislative change capped the automatic admissions under this plan at 75% for some universities, allowing for other admissions criteria.
5. The effectiveness of the plan has sparked debates on its impact on educational equity and whether it fully addresses the need for affirmative action.

Review Questions

• How does the Texas 'Top Ten Percent' Plan relate to the goals of affirmative action in higher education?
  • The Texas 'Top Ten Percent' Plan relates to the goals of affirmative action by aiming to enhance diversity within public universities through a merit-based approach. While affirmative action often considers race as a factor in admissions, this plan allows students from varied backgrounds who excel academically to gain admission without regard to race. This shift seeks to create a more equitable opportunity for students from underrepresented communities while still recognizing academic achievement.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the Texas 'Top Ten Percent' Plan in achieving its intended goals regarding diversity in higher education.
  • The effectiveness of the Texas 'Top Ten Percent' Plan has been both praised and critiqued. On one hand, it has led to an increase in minority student enrollment at public universities, contributing to a more diverse student body. However, some argue that it does not sufficiently address deeper systemic inequalities in education and may overlook talented students who do not rank in the top ten percent but possess strong potential. The debate continues on whether this plan truly fulfills its goal of increasing access for all disadvantaged groups.
• Propose an alternative approach that could enhance the goals of the Texas 'Top Ten Percent' Plan while also addressing concerns about educational equity.
  • An alternative approach could involve a holistic admissions process that incorporates both academic performance and other factors such as socioeconomic status, extracurricular involvement, and personal essays. This would allow colleges to identify a broader range of qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds. By combining elements of the Texas 'Top Ten Percent' Plan with targeted outreach programs for underserved communities, universities could create a more equitable admissions framework that acknowledges both merit and the barriers faced by different groups in accessing quality education.

Related terms

Affirmative Action:

Policies aimed at improving opportunities for historically marginalized groups in areas like education and employment.

Diversity:

The inclusion of individuals from various backgrounds, including different races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses, within an institution or organization.

College Admissions: The process through which colleges and universities select students for enrollment based on various criteria including academic performance, standardized test scores, and personal statements.