"race" is an antiquated idea from the 17C that should not be used in this context. Instead, ethnicity, or even demographic is a more relevent term.
I can not talk from an American perspective, but in Australia Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders (our native peoples) have reduced requirements for school and university entry. I think this is an important step is righting some past wrongs and breaking some vicious cycles which once broken benefit not only their communities but society in large.
When European colonists came to Australia, they changed the fabric of Aboriginal society. Many Aboriginies found it difficult to adapt to these drastic changes, and with the introduction of alcohol the effect on their society and culture were devestating, much of which is pronounced to this day. Granting more Aboriginal students access to higher education does much to break cycles of abuse which have held them back as a community. This also provides role models for the next generation, and so has a cumulative and positive effect.
Some may argue that this is 'white guilt', and that is arguable to an extent, but semantic arguments rarely solve problems; education has historically been far better at this.
I believe America has a similar history with native Americans, and i believe it is just as important there to improve communal esteem in those populations. Although i havn't read the external link, and am otherwise uninformed of the situation, the inability to determine ethnicity may negatively effect those who need it most.