White House asks colleges to look beyond criminal records

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Obama administration is asking colleges and universities to rethink how they factor in an applicant’s criminal history during the admission process.

The White House says schools’ inquiries about criminal records too often block people who’ve served time in prison from getting an education. President Barack Obama says changes are needed to ensure “Americans who’ve paid their debt to society can earn their second chance.”

The White House is asking schools to sign a pledge promising to review their application processes and look for ways to deemphasize criminal histories.

Twenty-five institutions have signed the Fair Chance Higher Education Pledge, including Columbia University, Arizona State University and the University of California system.

The pledge is part of a broader White House effort to make it easier for ex-convicts to re-enter society.