Question

what were affirmative action programs originally designed to encourage?
○ increasing diversity in public institutions and businesses
○ beginning the process of desegregation in schools
○ establishing complete equality in admissions and hiring practices
○ ending separation based on race in housing

Explanation:

Affirmative action programs were initially created to address systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups, with the core original goal of fostering greater diversity in public institutions and workplaces by proactively considering underrepresented identities in admissions and hiring. Desegregation in schools was addressed by earlier civil rights measures, complete equality was a long-term aspiration not the original narrow design, and housing segregation was targeted by other policies.

Answer:

increasing diversity in public institutions and businesses