The conventional explanation for adult white opposition to busing for school desegregation emphasizes a rational, objective self interested component. Whites are seen as opposing busing because its costs far exceed its benefits. However, little of the social psychological literature supports this view. Studies by and large support the findings…

Antibusing attitudes did not even indirectly contribute to "White flight" in the Pontiac school district. Unfortunately, the solution to the problem of "White flight" involves creating an attractive urban environment and creating a society free from racism. (Author/IRT)

Using a sample of l00 low-income suburban mothers of Head Start preschoolers, a study was conducted to determine (1) the extent that low-income mothers' perceptions, conceptions, and attitudes differ on desegregation; and (2) the extent that low-income mothers differ, as a result of having or not having children participate in mandatory…

A survey of White, Black, and Latino parents in Chicago, Illinois, revealed that most favored desegregation of the schools, but did not approve of busing to achieve that desegregation. (FL)

Describes a study that evaluated the impact of a voluntary busing program begun in Chicago for the purpose of school desegregation. Discusses student academic achievement, student affect, classroom interaction, and parent attitudes. Concludes that, though the program was not detrimental to students in desegregated schools, parent discontent seemed…

In order to assess student perceptions and needs regarding school climate in the newly desegregated Marion County, Indiana, schools in 1983, a questionnaire was administered to a random sample of students. The sample included 10 percent of the white students (residents of the suburban areas in which the schools were located) and 30 percent of the…

This report presents findings from a survey of parents' and students' opinions regarding the desegregation effort and educational quality of Seattle, Washington schools in 1978-1979. Generally, parents responding to the survey indicated satisfaction with most aspects of their children's education. Areas of lowest satisfaction, however, included…

The Chicago Board of Education has been attempting to formulate a school desegregation plan to satisfy the U.S. Department of Education (HEW) guidelines for a decade. Public hearings and community participation are to be an integral part of the planning process. To determine the community's attitudes toward school desegregation, over one thousand…

Attitudinal and demographic data were obtained from 113 Black parents who decided to involve their children in a voluntary school desegregation transfer program, and from 37 nonvolunteering Black parents. Differences between the two groups, although marginal, were related to attitude toward desegregation and attitude toward the school district.…

Information sources used by parents of majority and minority students in making decisions about school choice, with a focus on busing, are examined in this report. A mailed survey of parents of approximately 8,431 students in the San Jose Unified School District (California) yielded 934 responses, of which minority households comprised 60 percent…

Describes how a Parent Council and school system administrators collaborated to develop a citywide magnet school desegregation plan, which increased parents' choices and introduced competition among public schools for the patronage of parents and students and for achievement of academic excellence. (RDN)

A questionnaire was administered to samples of parents of Grade 2 and Grade 5 students in 38 desegregated elementary schools in Detroit, Michigan, to evaluate the impact of desegregation on parent attitudes. The questions focused on several areas including desegregation and busing, pupil learning and racial relations, quality of education,…

Presented in this report are the findings of two surveys which were administered to parents of children attending magnet schools in St. Louis. Results of the surveys, the Magnet/Pilot Parent Questionnaire and the Parent Participation Questionnaire are used to illustrate: (1) how parent participation differed in magnet, other (non-magnet) public…

A questionnaire was administered to samples of parents of Grade 7 students in 22 desegregated middle schools in Detroit, Michigan, to evaluate the impact of desegregation on parent attitudes. The questions focused on several areas including desegregation and busing, pupil learning and racial relations, quality of education, school-parent…

The Riverside Unified School District, Riverside (California) experienced desegregation in ways that many school districts experienced it in the 1960s. It became the first city of its size (over 100,000) to implement a full-scale racial balance plan and implement it within 7 weeks. This study examines the successes and failures of desegregation…