The deans of most Texas law schools are advocating for the Texas Supreme Court to maintain American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation standards. They believe such accreditation offers essential quality assurance, career flexibility through national recognition, and consumer protections. Only two of the Texas law school deans did not sign the letter. Meanwhile, one dean suggested exploring alternative pathways for law school standards to potentially lower education costs in legal training. Concerns were raised about the implications of changing ABA accreditation requirements and recent suspensions of diversity standards.
"We strongly support continued reliance on ABA accreditation for Texas law schools and licensure eligibility. ABA accreditation provides a nationally recognized framework for quality assurance and transparency; portability of licensure through recognition of ABA accreditation by all 50 states, which is critical for graduates’ career flexibility; consumer protections and public accountability through disclosure standards."
"The language of the Standard can be revised in accordance with federal constitutional law and Texas state law that bar certain diversity, equity and inclusion practices at state universities."
Chesney urged the justices to look at 'alternative' pathways for ensuring law school standards 'to help pave the way for innovative, lower-cost approaches to legal education.'
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