Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona issued the following statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Supreme Court's ruling on college affirmative action programs:

"Our colleges and universities are at their best when they reflect the rich diversity of our nation. On this day last year, the Supreme Court reversed course on decades of precedent and sharply limited a vital tool that colleges used to create vibrant, diverse campus communities and expand access to higher education for students of color, who too often face inequities in our education system. The decision was a blow to the fight for equal opportunity and a more just, equitable country.

"The Biden-Harris Administration is not backing down on its commitment to educational opportunity for all Americans. Over the past year, I've been encouraged to see many colleges take concrete action to preserve educational diversity and equity in their recruitment and admissions practices—as well as their efforts to promote inclusivity and supportive campus cultures. Following guidance released by the Department in the aftermath of this decision, many schools revised their admissions strategies to place student achievement in the context of adversity and resilience, such as their financial means, the opportunities available where they grew up, their personal experiences of hardship, including racial discrimination, and other hardships. We've seen schools launch targeted recruitment programs, and others that have increased affordability through need-based aid and ensuring transparency and simplicity in student aid processes. We also know the critical role K-12 plays in providing rigorous and engaging pathways to postsecondary education and the importance of strong partnerships between higher education and K12 in increasing access to postsecondary education for students of color.

"The Department applauds these efforts. I look forward to our continued work together to intentionally better support students of color and erase unacceptable disparities and inequities in higher education. The fight for a more inclusive system goes on. Together, we will continue to raise the bar for all our nation's students."