Is Segregation Back in U.S. Public Schools?

DEBATERS

• 

  Integrating Rich and Poor Matters Most

  RICHARD D. KAHLENBERG, CENTURY FOUNDATION
• 

  Busing Isn’t the Answer, Choice Is

  TERRY L. STOOPS, JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION
• 

  Busing Taught Me Valuable Lessons

  ERIC MONTGOMERY, BUSED IN SCHOOL
• 

  Worth the Commute

  PAGE LEGGETT, BUSED IN HIGH SCHOOL
• 

  Focus on Better Education Instead

  LANCE T. IZUMI, PACIFIC RESEARCH INSTITUTE
• 

  Draw Out Diversity With Unique Offerings

  PEDRO NOGUERA, NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
• 

  ZIP Code Shouldn’t Affect School Quality

  MICHELLE RHEE, STUDENTSFIRST
• 

  True Integration Is Difficult and Necessary

  DONNA BIVENS, UNION OF MINORITY NEIGHBORHOODS, BOSTON

INTRODUCTION

Emily Berl for the New York Times

Last week marked the 58th anniversary of theBrown v. Board of Education decision, which declared racial segregation of public schools unconstitutional. But segregation, now due largely to geography, still remains an issue for most school systems, from New York City to Charlotte, N.C., and beyond. In his article in The Sunday Review, David L. Kirp, the author of “Kids First,” said that “desegregation is effectively dead.”

How can we integrate public schools when neighborhoods have become more segregated? Is it time to bring back busing? What other options and solutions are out there for providing a quality education for all children?