Prisms of Experience: The Role of Educational Diversity in Shaping the Law School Experience

• In Event: Roundtable Session 38
  In Roundtable Session: Division J Section 6 Roundtable 6

Abstract

Given the role of legal challenges in shaping affirmative action policies (e.g. Bakke, 1978; Grutter, 2003), the effect of law school diversity has far-ranging consequences. The connection between structural diversity and educational benefits is well established (Gurin, 1999; Jayakumar, 2008; Milem, 2003), but these quantitative studies are limited in their ability to illuminate students’ lived experiences. In contrast, this study examines longitudinal qualitative data from focus groups with 275 students from 11 law schools, in order to interrogate how educational diversity—or the lack thereof—affects law school experiences and outcomes. Findings show significant benefits to student-learning processes and outcomes, especially in terms of professional preparedness; the import of these benefits cautions against premature elimination of race-conscious policies.

Authors

• Siduri Haslerig, University of California - Los Angeles

• Laura Bernhard, University of California - Los Angeles

• Alana Mbanza, University of California - Los Angeles

• Walter R. Allen, University of California - Los Angeles