What was deemed unconstitutional in Hobson v. Hansen regarding tracking in schools?

In Hobson v. Hansen, the court found that tracking students based on performance on standardized tests was unconstitutional due to its discriminatory nature and the detrimental impact it had on students from certain backgrounds. The ruling emphasized that relying on standardized tests for educational placement perpetuated existing inequalities and limited the opportunities for disadvantaged students, particularly those from minority and low-income families. This decision highlighted the importance of ensuring equitable educational practices that do not reinforce systemic biases within the school system.

Using standardized tests as the sole criterion for tracking effectively marginalized students who may not perform well on these assessments, due to various factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural bias in the tests, or differences in educational background. Consequently, the ruling called for a more holistic approach to placing students, advocating for methods that consider a range of factors beyond just test performance to create a fairer educational landscape for all students.