In an effort to foster better understanding of the crucial role of the courts in protecting all persons from legislative and executive overreaching, this report examines and evaluates the Helms-Johnston Amendment, one of many efforts Congress is making to limit the authority of federal courts in cases involving the controversial issues of…

This is the second of a four-part study on the function of social networks in school community relations in Pontiac, Michigan. This volume consists of a 20th century social, economic, and demographic history of Pontiac, focusing on (1) the role of the auto industry in forming the socioeconomic character of the city, and (2) race relations. Then…

A case study of the magnet school program in an anonymous midwestern United States city provides insights on the types of organizational and political changes that result from this form of school desegregation. Organizationally, the normal life of school systems depends upon a delicate balance of two sets of contradictory elements: individual…

This paper reviews desegregation litigation since 1896 and discusses literature on the effects of segregated versus desegregated schools on the self concept and academic performance of black students. The outcomes of busing and other desegregation methods are considered in the literature review as are student attitudes, race relations, and social…

This book contains reports on ten school districts' responses to court ordered desegregation. The book begins with an historical background and a discussion of racial politics and community conflict. Following the introduction are the ten case studies, whose titles reveal the city and issues under examination: (1) "Boston, Massachusetts:…

The political and emotional issues surrounding the busing of children for purposes of school integration have caused us to focus on the methods of desegegation rather than on the goal of equal and quality education. Busing to integrate began after the 1954 Brown decision. Since that time, unwilling school superintendents and administrators have…

This book is based on the personal accounts of individuals and families involved in different ways in the busing for school integration experience in Boston, Massachusetts. The individuals who speak are both black and white, and include administrators, parents, students, teachers and residents of the city and suburbs. Their stories reflect their…

This paper reports findings from the first two years of a 3-year study to evaluate the effects of court-ordered busing in Waco, Texas. The objective of this study is to determine minority student achievement gains or losses, attitudes toward busing and school desegregation, the degree of interracial cooperation and acceptance in Waco schools, and…

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of busing on the subsequent achievement performance of bused minority students. Differences in achievement gains are hypothesized to be a function of bused student attitudes toward busing and the interracial climate of acceptance in the receiving schools. The design of this study is that of a…

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)

Reviews research on the effects of school desegregation on achievement, self-concept, locus of control, and the social behavior of Black children. Describes a study that investigated the friendship-making behavior of second-grade children who were bused following the completion of kindergarten. (GC)

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…

A study of the effects of gender, race, and participation in the Chapter 1 program on the achievement gap between students in grade 3 (mandated busing year) and grade 4 (after termination of busing) for 434 students in Norfolk (Virginia) indicates declines in achievement test score for both African-American and white students. (SLD)

This study of the reaction to forced busing in Boston (Massachusetts) that emerged in 1974 illustrates the persistence of race and class discrimination and the counterproductiveness of some imposed solutions. It is focused on white antibusing groups and the complexities of opposition to busing. Racism is essential to understanding the Boston…

This paper presents a set of new ideas which support the value of school desegregation in the United States. First, school desegregation efforts have been almost universally effective, no matter what implementation strategy was employed. Even busing, although widely criticized, has been effective. Second, desegregation efforts have usually…