The University of Pittsburgh's School of Law Hosts Panel Discussion on Supreme Court's Race in Education System Ruling

PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh's School of Law will host a panel discussion titled "Equal Protection in Education: Implications of the Seattle School District Case for School Integration and Racial Diversity," from 2-3:30 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Teplitz Moot Courtroom, 3900 Forbes Ave., Oakland. The event will be a part of the University's Constitution Day activities.

The topic of the discussion will be the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in "Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1". The case focused on the consideration of racial demographics when assigning students to public schools. On June 28, 2007, the court struck down the practice of using racial classifications in making school assignments.

"This case was widely viewed as the single-most important case in the court's last term. The decision was much anticipated for its potential implications for school integration and diversity in higher education," said Lu-in Wang, associate dean for academic affairs and professor in Pitt's School of Law. "The program will benefit the University by adding to the understanding of constitutional issues related to the promotion of diversity, which the University has identified as one of its core academic values."

There will be a question-and-answer segment at the conclusion of the discussion. This event is free and open to the public.

Information regarding the moderator and the three panelists follows:

Moderator

Deborah L. Brake, professor of law at Pitt. Brake came to the Pitt law faculty from the National Women's Law Center in Washington, D.C., where she litigated cases challenging sex discrimination in education, employment, housing, and prisons. She currently teaches courses on equality and discrimination as well as constitutional law.

Panelists

Janet Schofield, professor and social program chair in Pitt's Department of Psychology and senior scientist with the University's Learning Research and Development Center. Schofield is a nationally recognized scholar whose work was cited in both the majority and dissenting opinions in "Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1."

Eugene Lincoln, associate professor in Pitt's School of Education. Lincoln has taught a range of courses at Pitt on race-based politics in the educational system, including Race & Racism in Education and Society.

Lia Epperson, professor in Santa Clara University's School of Law. Epperson has served as director of education with the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, Inc. She currently teaches courses on social justice and constitutional law.

For more information, contact Lu-in Wang at 412-648-1401.

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