Judge rules that Fairfax County public schools have been discriminating against Asian students

A federal judge handed down a ruling on Friday in favor of a coalition of "parents, students, alumni and community members" against the new admissions policy of Fairfax County's Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

"WE WON! @coalitionforTJ and @PacificLegal WON! Judge Claude Hilton rules Fairfax County Public Schools is discriminating against Asians in its new admissions policy to Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology. The American dream won!" tweeted Asra Nomani, a leader of the coalition.

Nomani commented in a video attached to her tweet celebrating the victory, and discussing Judge Hilton's ruling that the Fairfax County School Board represented "...discrimination against our Asian families." She went on to explain that the new admissions policy is "over, done dead!"

The plaintiffs' attorney Erin Wilcox commented,"This is a monumental win for parents and students here in Fairfax County, but also for equal treatment in education across the country."

Wilcox went on to opine that "...we hope this ruling sends the message that government cannot choose who receives the opportunity to attend public schools based on race or ethnicity."

The Pacific Legal Foundation's added that "...until last year, admission to TJ [Thomas Jefferson, the high school in question] was race-blind and merit-based," but that "...the Fairfax County Public Schools’ board and superintendent adopted an admissions policy aimed at balancing the racial groups at TJ."

The policy now summarily ended by Judge Hilton required 1.5 percent of students from each eligible school to be guaranteed seats, in spite of any other criteria. In addition, it enacted a "bonus points" system aimed at bringing students in from "previously underrepresented" schools. Moreover, the judge's ruling upheld the plaintiff's claim that reducing the number of Asian-American students was the "intended result" of the measures.