California moves toward reversal of Prop. 209

Beige Luciano-Adams, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/10/2011 07:02:58 AM PDT

PASADENA - While it may have changed face since the affirmative action debates of the 1990s, the battle for diversity in California's higher education system has intensified in recent years, taking on new urgency as the state struggles to get ahead of its deep fiscal maladies.

Since voters approved a constitutional amendment prohibiting the state from considering race, sex or ethnicity fifteen years ago, critics say minority enrollment at the California's best public universities has plummeted - even as the number of minority high school graduates rises.

On Friday, Governor Jerry Brown heartened affirmative action supporters when he filed a brief arguing that ban - Proposition 209 - is unconstitutional when prohibits race-conscious admissions programs.

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