In 2017, Matthew Chingos and Kristin Blagg of the Urban Institute convened a group of researchers to analyze students' school choices and travel to school in five cities-- Denver, Detroit, New Orleans, New York, and Washington, D.C.--where families are able to select from among many charter and district schools. The team found that a large number…

In the social sciences, public access to data is now the norm at a variety of federal agencies, such as the National Science Foundation. This openness dramatically expanded the quality of research that social scientists can pursue, and it discourages unscrupulous practices such as inventing or manipulating data. It also means, essentially, that…

April 2015 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the landmark legislation that has provided the foundation of federal education policy in the United States. In "Presidents, Congress, and the Public Schools," longtime policy analyst Jack Jennings examines the evolution of federal education…

Clarifies some myths that dominated the story of Boston's school desegregation since 1974 and the Judge involved (Judge Garrity). Myths include: Judge Garrity ruined an excellent school system; busing caused great disruption throughout Boston; busing created white flight from Boston; and Judge Garrity was a heartless adjudicator who cared little…

"Alabama Education News" is published monthly except for June, July, and December by the Alabama Department of Education. This publication, authorized by Section 16-2-4 of the "Code of Alabama", as recompiled in 1975, is a public service of the Alabama Department of Education designed to inform citizens and educators about…

Describes the following four successful programs used in Connecticut to achieve integrated schools: (1) improvement of the Hartford Public Schools; (2) busing program from Hartford schools to suburban schools; (3) Bloomfield, CT, program for equal education; and (4) Windsor, CT, program of Black and White cooperation to halt White flight. (PS)

Examines three works by James Coleman: "Equality of Educational Opportunity" (the Coleman Report), 1966; Coleman's study of school busing and white flight in the 1970s; and his 1980s research on the advantages of private schools. His conclusions included: social composition is more important than school spending and socioeconomic…

Reviews the research on magnet schools and their impact on reducing racial segregation. Presents findings from a 3-year study of magnet schools in two urban districts. Surveys of diverse parents and teachers indicated that both groups generally believed the goal of integration was worth the cost of busing. Discusses the issue of racial balance in…

Magnet schools may prematurely limit academic choices and neglect the needs of poor children. (JM)

An indepth account of the conflict around the education of black students in Portland, Oregon, begins with a summary of the history of segregated schools since 1867. The paper presents a multidimentional analysis of school segregation and integration. Educational statistics are cited illustrating that academic achievement of blacks, who today…

This book examines a long-running voluntary desegregation program in Boston as a model of the long-range benefits and present-day challenges of integrating America's schools. The book presents interviews with program participants who are now adults and recounts their struggles and achievements. It explores the ways in which the Metropolitan…

Describes the development of the desegregation plan of the Prince Georges County Public Schools (Maryland), the provisions of the court order used to implement that plan, and the roles of magnet and one-race schools in the program. Implies that suburban communities have greater control over successful school improvement. (FMW)

Compares Federal court-ordered school desegregation plans in urban and rural Tennessee school districts. Indicates that approaches differed with varying district characteristics. Suggests that community responses to plans were influenced by such factors as racial composition; customs; leaders' attitudes; environmental and economic conditions; and…

Provides a comprehensive view of legislation, policies, programs, existing situations, and cases concerning race and sex equality, particularly as these relate to schools and education in the nation as a whole and in the individual States. (MJL)