The U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear a challenge to selective admissions criteria used for magnet middle schools in Montgomery County, Maryland. The case centers on whether race-neutral policy adjustments aimed at broadening student access to advanced academic programs unlawfully discriminate against specific racial groups.
The legal challenge was brought by the Association for Education Fairness, a group of mostly Asian American parents represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation. The lawsuit targets changes made to admissions policies for four competitive magnet middle schools, which eventually incorporated a lottery system using grades, standardized test scores, and local socioeconomic norms following pandemic-era disruptions. The plaintiffs argue that the criteria function as a proxy for race, disproportionately disadvantaging Asian American students who attend certain schools.
Montgomery County Public Schools defended the process as a race-neutral effort to eliminate barriers and expand equitable opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. A lower district court previously dismissed the lawsuit, finding no evidence of discriminatory intent, but differing standards across federal appeals courts prompted the Supreme Court to take up the matter.
The justices agreed to evaluate what plaintiffs challenging race-neutral admissions criteria on their face must establish to demonstrate intentional discrimination. Oral arguments are expected to be scheduled for next spring.