Since 1966, the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) has operated in suburban communities in Massachusetts as a voluntary desegregation program. In interviews, nine white educators revealed their perspectives of the METCO program in their district and discussed their beliefs about the ways that race and whiteness intersected…

This article examines the experiences of 20 students of color who voluntarily attend a racially integrated school. The study draws from the Socio-Cultural dimension of schooling as a framework to understand how the students of color fared on a social, cultural, and environmental level within a predominantly White school. Through a questionnaire,…

This article is an account of the first year of implementation of Chapter 220 of the State statute, which provides financial aid to encourage the transfer of students between schools and school districts for racial and cultural integration. (Author/AM)

"Harvard Education Letter" is published bimonthly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. This issue of "Harvard Education Letter" contains the following articles: (1) Charting a New Course toward Racial Integration: Districts Seek Legal Routes to Capture the Benefits of Diversity (Brigid Schulte); (2) Voluntary Integration: Two Views--(a)…

The voluntary desegregation and radicalization of the Sausalito, California public schools are discussed in this first part of a two-part article. (Author/RLV)

Epidemic presented suggests that certain types of interracial contact are associated with the expression of tolerant racial attitudes while other contact situations produce no significant positive correlation with unprejudiced views. (Author/AM)

Funds provided by the Emergency School Aid Act Title VII Magnet Project in 1978-1979 were largely responsible for attainment by the Milwaukee Public Schools of voluntary desegregation through specialty schools designed to meet a variety of student needs and interests. The positive impact of magnet schools on system goals was confirmed by…

A survey of parent attitudes toward desegregation of Chicago (Illinois) public schools was conducted among black, Hispanic and white parents in Chicago. Findings showed no significant difference in responses between the three ethnic groups. Parents favored school desegregation in general, but rejected busing and mandatory desegregation programs in…

This report details the technical aspects of an evaluation of Magnet School programs in the Los Angeles Unified School District in 1982-83. It focuses on implementation during that year and on progress made toward reducing harms of racial isolation. A prologue considers the social, economic, and governmental context affecting the analysis and…

This article focuses on several current issues in school desegregation that stem from recent changes in demography, policy, and research. Highlighted are changes in student diversity, national desegregation policies, voluntary desegregation, bilingual education, and the effects of these changes on academic achievement. (SLD)

This report details the technical aspects of a 1983 evaluation of Year-Round Schools (YRS) in the Los Angeles Unified School District. It is part of a combined effort to assess voluntary integration programs and is designed to inform the district's policy-makers on the progress the district has made in relieving the harms of racial isolation. A…

Equal status within the contact situation, shared goals, cooperate dependence in reaching these goals, and the support of authorities, law or custom are the criteria which Allport (1954) argued were vital for promoting positive interracial attitudes and behavior. The study reported here investigates the development of interracial interaction…

This report presents the 1982-83 results of an ongoing evaluation of two voluntary integration programs, Permits With Transportation (PWT) and Continued Voluntary Permits (CVP), which operate within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Information on implementation methods is presented for the use of district policymakers and for gauging…

Qualitative and quantitative studies of a class of 208 urban eighth graders demonstrate that loose-knit peer groups encourage interracial integration, whereas cliques do not. Loose-knit voluntary peer groups created by the social dynamic of cafeteria table hopping provide an opportunity for meaningful cross-race interaction. (SLD)

This volume presents a review of the qualitative literature pertaining to desegregation strategies and outcomes, and school characteristics. The review was based on the following objectives of desegregation policy: elimination of racial isolation; improvement of racial relations and academic achievement; promotion of positive community attitudes;…