Latest news with #IPEDS
Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Harvard admissions face renewed investigation: What you need to know about Trump's latest order
Harvard admissions face renewed investigation under Trump's expanded race data order Harvard University and other American universities are now subject to expanded federal requirements to disclose race-related admissions data, following a recent memorandum from President Donald Trump. This directive is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to enforce compliance with the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling that limits the consideration of race in college admissions. The memorandum mandates that universities provide detailed data showing that race is not a factor in admissions decisions. This order follows agreements with two Ivy League universities, Brown and Columbia, which have already consented to release additional admissions data under similar conditions. Harvard's admissions process is now under renewed scrutiny amid ongoing federal investigations and negotiations. New requirements on data disclosure and admissions transparency The order tasks the Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, with overhauling the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which collects nationwide university statistics. According to the memorandum, the Department of Education will expand its reporting scope to improve transparency around university admissions for the 2025-26 academic year. This includes reporting on student race, sex, test scores, grade point averages, and first-generation status. Although the memorandum does not explicitly demand race data, the administration has stated its intention to use the new requirements to prevent "race-based preferences" in admissions, as reported by the Harvard Crimson. McMahon has directed the National Center for Education Statistics to collect this expanded data to monitor whether universities comply with the Supreme Court's decision. Supreme Court ruling and its impact on Harvard admissions In 2023, the Supreme Court struck down Harvard's affirmative action policy in its undergraduate admissions, ruling that the university's use of race as a factor was unconstitutional. The ruling permits colleges to consider how race has shaped an applicant's experiences but prohibits explicit racial preferences. Despite the ruling, Harvard's admitted student demographics showed little change in 2024. Asian students remained at 37 percent of the class, Black student enrolment dropped from 18 percent to 14 percent, and Latino or Hispanic student numbers increased from 14 percent to 16 percent. Harvard also altered its admissions data release policy, choosing to publish the profile of the incoming freshman class in the autumn instead of in May when admission decisions are released. According to the Harvard Crimson, this adjustment was made to comply with the Supreme Court decision. Federal investigation and Harvard's ongoing negotiations Harvard is engaged in negotiations with the federal government over several allegations raised by the Trump administration. These include claims that the university failed to combat antisemitism and practiced racial discrimination through its diversity, equity, and inclusion offices. The Trump administration's memorandum highlights concerns about universities using "diversity statements" and "overt and hidden racial proxies" to circumvent the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action. The Department of Education has signalled that both undergraduate and certain graduate and professional programmes will be subject to increased reporting requirements, though specific programmes remain unspecified. According to the Harvard Crimson, Harvard Law School experienced significant drops in minority enrolment in its first J.D. class admitted after the ruling, with declines in Black and Hispanic students and increases in white and Asian students. The new order requires Harvard College to report admissions data on both applicant pools and admitted classes, increasing federal oversight. Broader implications for US universities The Trump administration's expanded disclosure requirements follow settlements with Brown and Columbia universities, which agreed to disclose additional admissions data beyond what the federal government previously collected. The latest order extends these requirements to all US universities receiving federal funding. This development ensures Harvard's admissions data will be subject to rigorous federal scrutiny. The administration aims to make IPEDS data "easily accessible and intelligibly presented for parents and students," as cited by the Harvard Crimson. However, admissions offices' internal procedures may remain confidential despite increased transparency efforts. The expanded reporting is expected to intensify monitoring of how universities comply with the Supreme Court's ruling and the Trump administration's interpretation of race-neutral admissions policies. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
How Trump's executive order could reshape college admissions and campus diversity across the US
The Trump administration recently issued an executive order requiring universities to publicly disclose detailed information about the race, test scores, and grade point averages of all applicants. This move intensifies an already heated national debate over college admissions, meritocracy, and campus diversity. According to The New York Times , the new data disclosure rules aim to increase transparency but could also shift admissions practices in ways that affect student diversity across the country's most selective institutions. A century-long debate over admissions For more than a century, colleges have grappled with the question of how to admit students fairly. The controversy touches on fundamental issues such as equal opportunity, racial justice, and the definition of merit. Traditionally, many colleges have used holistic admissions processes that consider applicants' life experiences, including race and socio-economic background, to build diverse and inclusive campuses. However, conservative groups argue that such subjective criteria can lead to unfair advantages for certain groups and discrimination against others, particularly white and Asian students. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Secret Lives of the Romanovs — the Last Rulers of Imperial Russia! Learn More Undo Supreme Court ruling and new federal requirements In 2023, the Supreme Court ruled that considering race in admissions decisions was unconstitutional. This ruling forced universities to overhaul their admissions policies to comply with the new legal framework. Building on that decision, the Trump administration's executive order now requires colleges to report applicant data to a federal database called the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasised that this data will help the public see whether colleges admit students based on merit or race, stating, according to The New York Times, it 'will enable the American public to assess whether schools are passing over the most qualified students in favor of others based on their race.' The pressure to prioritise test scores According to The New York Times , experts warn that this focus on quantitative measures like test scores and grade point averages could unintentionally favour wealthier students who often have access to better preparation and resources from an early age. James Murphy, director of postsecondary policy at Education Reform Now, told The New York Times , 'I think the incentives that this creates are a big deal. It is creating pressure on colleges to focus on higher G.P.A.s and higher test scores.' The history and impact of standardised testing The use of standardised test scores in admissions has a complex history. In the early 20th century, colleges prioritised intangible qualities such as character, leadership, and athletic ability. These factors sometimes served as barriers for certain groups, including Jewish students. After World War II, as the United States faced global competition, universities shifted focus towards academic metrics like the SAT. However, this shift has been challenged by civil rights advocates seeking more inclusive admissions policies. Income and racial disparities in test scores Research highlighted by The New York Times shows significant disparities in test scores tied to family income. For example, students from affluent households are seven times more likely to score at least 1300 on the SAT compared to those from low-income families. Among the high school class of 2024, just 1% of Black students and 2% of Hispanic students scored between 1400 and 1600, the highest SAT range. By contrast, 7% of white students and 27% of Asian students reached that score bracket. Admissions beyond test scores Given these disparities, very few elite colleges admit students solely based on test scores today. They also consider legacy status, special talents, and economic adversity to create a more balanced student body. Boston University professor Anthony Abraham Jack told The New York Times that the new order could push admissions towards a 'quota system for wealthy and white students.' He cautioned, 'If your class is too brown, too poor, then somehow you rigged the system.' Jack stressed the importance of context in evaluating applicants, telling The New York Times , 'If you have a student who gets a 5 in A.P. calculus, that doesn't give you a relative understanding of how good they are. What if they're the only young woman in the entire state to get a 5 in A.P. calc? That tells you how amazing that person is.' What this means for students As the admissions landscape shifts, students and families may find it harder or easier to understand what it takes to gain entry into selective colleges. The Trump administration's push for more standardised, data-driven admissions decisions may narrow the path for many, especially students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. The debate continues as universities strive to balance fairness, diversity, and academic excellence in an evolving legal and political environment. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
McMahon orders federal audit of universities' admissions data to root out racial bias
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski) Declaring that 'meritocracy and excellence' must again define American higher education, US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on Thursday ordered the government's chief education statistics arm to collect unprecedented levels of admissions data from universities, aiming to expose and eliminate race-based preferences. The directive to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) marks a significant expansion of federal oversight, coming directly on the heels of President Donald Trump's memorandum calling for greater transparency in admissions practices. A new level of disclosure Colleges and universities will now be required to break down their applicant, admitted, and enrolled student data by race and sex, not just for undergraduates but for certain graduate and professional programmes. The reporting will go beyond headcounts, demanding hard metrics: Standardized test scores, GPAs, and other academic credentials of each group. McMahon said the change was designed to cut through years of secrecy that have shielded admissions decisions from public view as states in a press release. 'It should not take years of legal proceedings and millions of dollars in litigation fees, to elicit data from taxpayer-funded institutions that identify whether they are discriminating against hardworking American applicants,' she said in a press release, referencing the Students for Fair Admissions v. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Kalisari: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo Harvard case that pulled back the curtain on elite admissions practices. Audits and accountability NCES will also design a rigorous audit process to ensure universities report their data accurately and consistently. The information will feed into the existing Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which already tracks enrollment and finances at federally funded institutions. Until now, IPEDS has only collected racial demographics for enrolled students, a narrow snapshot that left the admissions gatekeeping process largely in the dark. Legal backdrop The Supreme Court's 2023 decision in SFFA v. Harvard struck down racial preferencing in admissions, ruling it a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause. Evidence in that case showed Harvard engaged in 'extreme racial preferencing,' a finding that ignited fresh political and legal challenges across the country. By expanding the scope of federal data collection, the Department of Education is positioning itself to enforce the court's ruling not through lawsuits, but through regularized, nationwide reporting. What's at stake The move raises the stakes for universities that rely on federal student aid; compliance with IPEDS is a condition of receiving Title IV funding. It also puts institutions under the microscope of both the federal government and the public, which will soon have the tools to see if qualified candidates are being passed over in favour of others based on race. For the Trump administration, the message is blunt: No more 'hidden math' in admissions. For colleges, it signals an era in which the cost of opacity could be far higher than the political fallout of transparency. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
The Independent
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump signs order requiring colleges to provide admissions data
President Donald Trump has signed a directive compelling colleges and universities to provide detailed demographic data on their incoming classes to the Department of Education. The directive mandates a revamp of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) to expand reporting requirements for the racial composition of student bodies. The White House states the measure aims to verify that admissions do not involve unlawful discrimination, aligning with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that banned affirmative action in higher education. The administration will implement increased accuracy checks on submitted data and take remedial action for any incomplete or inaccurate submissions. This memorandum is part of a wider series of actions by the Trump administration to reverse programs intended to benefit racial minorities and to end Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Boston Globe
4 days ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Trump requires colleges turn over more admissions data in fight against diversity policies
'The persistent lack of available data — paired with the rampant use of 'diversity statements' and other overt and hidden racial proxies — continues to raise concerns about whether race is actually used in practice," the memo, signed by Trump said. 'Greater transparency is essential to exposing unlawful practices and ultimately ridding society of shameful, dangerous racial hierarchies.' Advertisement The memo, in effect, takes demands the Trump administration had made of individual schools and applies it to any institution that gets federal aid. New data-sharing requirements were included in the federal government's recent, wide-ranging deals with Columbia and Brown Universities. They were among the few measures the two agreements had in common, indicating the federal government's interest in getting as much raw information from colleges as possible. Harvard remains in talks with the Trump administration. Advertisement Brendan Cantwell, a professor who studies higher education at Michigan State University, said admissions data submitted under Trump's directive could allow the administration to target schools in future lawsuits or investigations. The federal government, Cantwell suggested, could selectively share information with allies, who could then sue schools they believe aren't following the law, or at the very least influence schools by giving the 'idea that your shoulder's being looked over when making all these decisions.' He added it opened the door for the government to 'set the terms by which institutions select students.' The new memo signed Thursday directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to 'expand the scope of required reporting to provide adequate transparency into admissions, as determined by the Secretary of Education,' beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. I t did not name the specific reporting requirements the department would require, but said they would need to be expanded within the next 120 days. It also asks the Education Department to revamp and publicize the data collected in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, or IPEDS. It directs McMahon to check whether the data institutions submit is accurate, and to 'take remedial action' against schools that don't submit information on time or provide inaccurate information. How this will change colleges' admissions practices is unclear: Schools already submit a substantial amount of information to IPEDS, as required by the Higher Education Act of 1965, including information on enrollment, graduation rates, and finances. Schools are already barred from considering race as a factor in in admissions, and students are not required to report their race in applications. Advertisement After the Supreme Court ruled two years ago — in a case focused on Harvard — that schools could not consider race in their admissions practices, colleges scrambled to make reforms to stay in line with the law while also continuing to enroll diverse classes of students. The following academic school year, however, the number of first-year Black students enrolled Still, conservative groups, who claim affirmative action practices discriminate against white and Asian students, have looked to build on their Supreme Court victory by stamping out any trace of the diversity-related initiatives and policies that existed on college campuses for decades. Some have accused universities of finding other ways to consider race in admissions and maintain diverse classes of students, such as personal statements, and are set on restoring 'merit-based' admissions that focus more on factors such as test scores. Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions, which led the years-long legal fight to successfully overturn affirmative action, said the group is 'enthusiastically delighted that the administration is requiring colleges and universities to disclose this admissions data.' Blum said some colleges and universities had indicated, following the court ruling, that they 'intend to try to get around the law' by using 'racial proxies in order to put a thumb on the scales for certain races and ethnicities.' Advertisement The new data, he say, 'will be a tool used by public interest litigation groups to keep colleges and universities from cheating.' Earlier this year, the Trump administration expanded the prohibition of race-conscious selection into areas such as hiring, scholarships, and graduation ceremonies. Since then, the Trump administration has particularly singled out Harvard University in alleging schools had illegally considered factors such as race in admissions and hiring. In May, for instance, Josh Gruenbaum, an official with the US General Services Administration, instructed federal agencies to terminate all contracts with Harvard, arguing Harvard's admissions and hiring practices had violated anti-discrimination law. Brown and Columbia Universities, in their recent deals with the federal government, said they would share data about applicants' standardized test scores and grade point averages, as well as demographic data such as their race, in addition to publicizing admissions statistics. The Globe on Thursday contacted more than a dozen Massachusetts colleges, including Harvard, for comment on Trump's latest moves. All either declined to comment or did not respond to inquiries. Jonathan Fansmith, senior vice president with the American Council on Education, which represents about 1,600 colleges and universities, said schools already provide a substantial amount of information to the federal database. The new measure, he said, may 'add some more burden and complications for institutions.' But, he added, 'it's not ultimately going to do anything in terms of what the administration is talking about.' Because schools now often include measures to ensure admissions officers don't directly know the race of their applicants, he added, determining whether schools are discriminating 'is not something that's easily captured in a spreadsheet.' Advertisement Anjali Huynh can be reached at
