One Size Does Not Fit All: A Critical Race Theory Perspective on College Rankings

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Bibliographic Details
Title: One Size Does Not Fit All: A Critical Race Theory Perspective on College Rankings
Language: English
Authors: Richards, David A. R., Awokoya, Janet T., Bridges, Brian K., Clark, Christine
Source: Review of Higher Education. Fall 2018 42(1):269-312.
Availability: Johns Hopkins University Press. 2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218. Tel: 800-548-1784; Tel: 410-516-6987; Fax: 410-516-6968; e-mail: jlorder@jhupress.jhu.edu; Web site: http://www.press.jhu.edu/journals/subscribe.html
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 44
Publication Date: 2018
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Descriptors: Critical Theory, Race, Equal Education, Institutional Characteristics, Achievement Rating, Reputation, Higher Education, Racial Bias, Evaluation Criteria, Scores, Disproportionate Representation, Minority Group Students, Academic Achievement, Black Colleges, Hispanic American Students, Periodicals, African American Students, College Students
DOI: 10.1353/rhe.2018.0030
ISSN: 0162-5748
Abstract: Critical Race Theory contends that institutions codify and sustain racial inequalities even absent explicitly racist motives or actions. College ranking systems perpetuate such institutional racism by socially constructing minority-serving institutions (MSIs) as less valuable and prestigious. By assigning greater worth to criteria favoring more selective institutions, ranking systems assign lower scores to institutions enrolling higher percentages of underrepresented students. The authors compared three higher education institution ranking systems' appraisals of MSIs. These systems employ varying methodological approaches to classifying college status, with apparent impacts on MSIs' performances. Implications of these rankings on the standings and fortunes of MSIs are considered.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 88
Entry Date: 2018
Accession Number: EJ1193658
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Critical Race Theory contends that institutions codify and sustain racial inequalities even absent explicitly racist motives or actions. College ranking systems perpetuate such institutional racism by socially constructing minority-serving institutions (MSIs) as less valuable and prestigious. By assigning greater worth to criteria favoring more selective institutions, ranking systems assign lower scores to institutions enrolling higher percentages of underrepresented students. The authors compared three higher education institution ranking systems' appraisals of MSIs. These systems employ varying methodological approaches to classifying college status, with apparent impacts on MSIs' performances. Implications of these rankings on the standings and fortunes of MSIs are considered.
ISSN:0162-5748
DOI:10.1353/rhe.2018.0030