Perspectives on intelligence testing, affirmative action, and educational policy

The often-vitriolic debate on intelligence testing, affirmative action, and educational policy encompasses issues of deep social, political, economica l, and emotional significance to all Americans. This special theme issue fo cuses on the current thinking of leading scholars in the areas of intellige nce testing, affirmative action, and educational policy. This introduction to the theme issue begins with an overview of key data and observations tha t place the debate into sharper focus. Next, the major areas of scholarly w ork relevant to the debate are reviewed. Finally, the contributors and thei r major points of view are introduced to orient the reader for the journey through the 21 articles and commentary that comprise this volume.