President Donald Trump signed a memorandum Thursday requiring colleges and universities to submit expanded admissions data to the U.S. Department of Education. The move is aimed at identifying whether schools are using race in admissions despite the Supreme Court’s 2023 ban on affirmative action.
The directive applies to institutions participating in federal student loan programs and would require reporting not only on enrolled students, but also on applicants. Education Secretary Linda McMahon ordered the National Center for Education Statistics to begin collecting data disaggregated by race and sex, along with academic metrics such as GPAs and standardized test scores.
Supporters say the measure will reinforce merit-based admissions, while critics, including American Council on Education president Ted Mitchell, call it a “fishing expedition” that oversimplifies complex admissions factors.
The policy follows recent settlements with Columbia and Brown universities requiring detailed applicant data and banning race-based preferences. It remains unclear whether the rule will extend to all schools, including community colleges.
Some researchers warn the change could further reduce diversity at selective schools without broader admissions reforms, while resource limitations at the Education Department may hinder enforcement.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
