Brown v. Board of Education's promise of inclusive, integrated, high-quality schools for all of our nation's children has never been more important. Yet in the 52 years since Brown, the nation has struggled to realize that promise. After a period of massive resistance and foot dragging, our country made real progress toward more integrated and equitable education. Over the last two decades, however, the nation has witnessed disturbing levels of resegregation across the country. Indeed, America's public schools are now more segregated than they were in 1970. Certain school districts have voluntarily tried to fight this trend, and to bring students together across lines of difference.
The Supreme Court will soon decide Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District and Meredith v. Jefferson County Board of Education, two critical cases from Seattle, Washington, and Louisville, Kentucky, that will clarify whether school districts may voluntarily continue to integrate their schools using methods that work for their communities. The Supreme Court’s decisions could limit the ability of communities to promote diverse local schools and provide opportunities for their children to learn, play and work together. Every child in these districts has a seat at the educational table. These cases will determine whether that seat must be segregated, or if it can represent the vibrant diversity in these communities.
So, why are we here? We're here to track and analyze the upcoming decisions. We're here to gather relevant news articles, opinion pieces, and commentary. We’re here to serve as a clearinghouse of information about the cases for local communities, advocacy groups, the media, educators, social scientists, attorneys, and others interested in their impact on the educational landscape in America.
Monday, May 7, 2007
WHY ARE WE HERE?
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