Since 2003, AERA has filed several amicus briefs that comprehensively lay out the research evidence for the educational benefits of diverse education environments and the positive impact of affirmative action admissions policies on students' educational experiences and their careers.  

Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (2015)
AERA's 2015 amicus brief in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin summarizes the body of scientific research on affirmative action and diversity in higher education. To see the amicus brief, post-Fisher updates, and other information and resources, click here. 

Full Brief (PDF)

Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin (2012)
AERA's 2012 amicus brief in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin summarizes the body of scientific research on affirmative action and diversity in higher education. To see the 2012 amicus brief, post-Fisher updates, and other information and resources, click here. 

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Full Brief (PDF)

Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1 and Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education (2006)
Both cases, ruled on jointly by the Supreme Court, focused on district policies encouraging integration that allowed for race to be used as a “tiebreaker” for public choice of high schools in Seattle and as a factor in determining elementary school assignments in Louisville.

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Related briefing
Full Brief (PDF)

Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)
AERA filed amicus curiae briefs in Gratz v. Bollinger and Grutter v. Bollinger, both relating to admissions policies at the University of Michigan. Gratz addressed the university’s undergraduate admissions; Grutter, its law school admissions. In Gratz, the court struck down the university’s policy, which awarded points for various factors including race. In Grutter, however, the court upheld the law school admissions policy. 

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Full Grutter v. Bollinger Brief (PDF)
Full Gratz v. Bollinger Brief (PDF)
Related briefings