Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 02090131
12/95/
ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED130570 AUTHOR: Sowell, Thomas
TITLE: Affirmative Action Reconsidered. Was It Necessary in
Academia? Evaluation Studies 27.
YEAR PUBLISHED: 1975
NOTE: 53 p.
AVAILABILITY: American Enterprise Institute for Public
Policy Research, 1150 17th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20036 ($3.00)
ABSTRACT: Affirmative action is examined from various
points
of view. A distinction is made between the basic concepts
and legal rationale of affirmative action and the many
specific laws, regulations, and practices that have
developed under this label. The magnitude of the problem
that affirmative action programs were intended to solve is
measured in some general terms. The actual results achieved
and the general trends set in motion by these programs are
considered. Finally, the implications of affirmative action
policies for those directly affected and for society in
general are weighed. The study deals with race and sex
differentials in employment, pay, and promotion prospects.
In this study of the effectiveness and necessity of
affirmative action programs the academic profession is used
because it is an area in which crucial career
characteristics can be quantified and have been researched.
The study concludes that between the original concept of
affirmative action and the goals and timetables actually
imposed there is an ill-conceived mixture of unsupported
assumptions and burdensome requirements that remain
ineffective because of their indiscriminate nature. (JMF)
KEY DESCRIPTORS: Discriminatory-Legislation; Employment
Opportunities; Employment-Practices; Employment
Qualifications; Equal-Opportunities-Jobs; Personnel-Policy;
Professional-Personnel; Racial-Discrimination; Salaries-;
Sex-Discrimination
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Affirmative-Action; *Court-Litigation;
*Higher-Education; *Legislation-; *Objectives-; *School
Personnel
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