Brown vs. Board of Education - 50 Years Later

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/05/16/MNGL46MGP71.DTL

Fifty years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court declared segregation in schools to be unconstitutional. Reading this article, though, has the decision really changed all that much?

Take a look at the bottom, at the comparison between Oakland Unified School District and Piedmont Unified. You're talking about two districts that are basically right next to each other, except Piedmont is known as an affluent community. The watch words here: "money talks".

What do you think we need to do (provided you think something can be done) to fully realize the complete integration of schools? Does the current contrast of schools in places like Piedmont against schools in places like Oakland concern you in the least?

Take it away, folks.

We've come a long way, but need much more work.

The problem is, much of the "No Child Left Behind" policy by Bush is only widening the gap. The schools that need the money, often have lower grades and thus, don't get the same benefits as schools where the grades are better.

What needs to be done, is money has to be allocated to a widen range of public schools. This would enhance the education possible at these schools, and allow for more of a mix of people who want/have to send their children there.

Also, teachers need to get more respect. Oftentimes, great teachers leave schools who cannot pay them enough, and are usually high in minority population, for a district that can pay them better, and have a much lower minority concentration. That needs to stop. Money does indeed talk, but we have yet to really answer it.

Take care all.

I can only speak for myself, but integration has never been a problem for our school district. Obviously, the public school system is done by the area in which you live. Obviously, certain parts of town have different ethnic makeups than others, but that doesn't seem to affect the quality of the schools.

SOUTHWEST HIGH SCHOOL
White: 41.6%
African-American: 28.2%
Hispanic: 27.2%
Asian/Other: 3.0%

We are the most ethnically diverse school in our district, and there have been no problems in our history with integration. We are a very good school, I guess. One of the better ones in the district.

Ironically, my high school was one of many schools on Long Island where whites were the minority.

Malverne High School:

Blacks: 47.7%
Hispanics: 22.3%
Whites: 22%
Asian: 4%
Middle Eastern: 3%
Other: 1%

You're quite right King Bahamut, that it depends on the distinct. The district I attended was where the conditions I mentioned in my earlier post came from.

Take care all.

I dont think we should force schools to diversify but allow students to go to the school of their own choosing, and we shouldnt punish schools with low test scores but put more money in to them and try and help them solve the problem instead of making them do it on their own, with less means to do it in.