Daily News Lesson

SHOW ALL

Oct. 31, 2022, 5:24 p.m.

What’s at stake in the Supreme Court affirmative action cases

Summary

This week, the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments in two cases seeking to overturn decades-old precedents that have allowed colleges to factor race into admissions decisions in order to create diverse student bodies. Opponents of the practice say that any decision based on race is wrong. Angel Perez, CEO of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, joins John Yang to discuss. For a transcript of this story, click here .

Five Facts

  • Who has brought the case described in the story to the Supreme Court, and why?
  • What questions is the Supreme Court considering about affirmative action?
  • When will these cases be decided?
  • Why are these cases being brought now?
  • How has the Supreme Court ruled on race-based affirmative actions in colleges and universities in the past?

Focus Questions

How do you think college admissions would change if the Supreme Court court struck down precedent on affirmative action rulings? Media literacy: Who else would you want to hear from to better understand these cases and why they are being brought now to the Supreme Court?

For More

What students can do: Hear more about the arguments made before the Supreme Court. Based on this story, what arguments did the justices seem most sympathetic toward?

Fill out this form to share your thoughts on Classroom’s resources. Sign up for NewsHour Classroom’s ready-to-go Daily News Lessons delivered to your inbox each morning.

Recent Daily News Lessons

Judy Woodruff America at a Crossroads

Daily News Lesson

Behind the scenes of Judy Woodruff's America at a Crossroads

It's Media Literacy Week! "One of the great things about journalism is we can ask just about anybody a question, if they'll talk to us, and listen for the answer. That's a great privilege." — Judy Woodruff

israelvotes-e1793129862713

Daily News Lesson

What's next for Israel after election produces gridlock

Learn about the election in Israel, and discuss the projected results from experts

russiadis

Daily News Lesson

Ukraine less reliant on U.S. as Trump-Zelenskyy rift deepens, former ambassador says

Discuss the relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine, and why it may be changing

SUPPORTED BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:

PBS News Hour Classroom

Copyright © 2025 News Hour Production LLC. All Rights Reserved

Illustrations by Annamaria Ward