What was the effect of the Hopwood decision in Texas?

The Hopwood decision had a significant impact on affirmative action practices within Texas state universities. In 1996, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Hopwood v. Texas that the University of Texas Law School's affirmative action policy was unconstitutional, effectively prohibiting the use of race as a factor in admissions. This decision was pivotal because it established a precedent that led to the systematic dismantling of affirmative action policies within Texas public universities.

As a direct result of this ruling, affirmative action practices were curtailed, and many state schools in Texas were effectively required to disregard race as a criterion for admissions decisions. The ruling sparked a considerable debate about race, equity, and access to education, influencing not only Texas policies but also shaping discussions on affirmative action nationwide. Thus, the decision fundamentally changed the landscape of how Texas state schools could approach admissions and diversity initiatives.