Final answer:
The Supreme Court has had a substantial impact on policies related to diversity, with pivotal cases either upholding or limiting the reach of practices related to affirmative action and racial diversity in schools and workplaces. Decisions such as Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle and Meredith v. Jefferson County framed the permissible boundaries, while the Grutter decision supported the consideration of race as a factor in admissions to foster diversity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Supreme Court has, through various cases, shaped the policies of schools and institutions regarding issues of diversity and affirmative action. In two key cases in 2007, Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No.1 and Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education, the court ruled that while public schools could consider race when making assignments, the systems used in Seattle and Louisville were deemed too prescriptive. Conversely, the court's Grutter decision upheld the use of race as a "plus factor" in university admissions to achieve a critical mass of underrepresented students, and therefore, promote diversity on campus.
Historically, the Supreme Court played a pivotal role in desegregation efforts, most notably with the Brown v. Board of Education decision which overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine. However, with the advent of affirmative action, the court has had to balance principles of equal protection with the aims of creating diverse educational and workplace environments, often resulting in contentious debates and rulings that limit the implementation of such policies.