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Kaylee Dore
10/27/24
EDU 310
Schooling for equality
Racial integration in U.S. schools has been a continuous issue, it all goes back to the
Supreme Court case Brown versus Board of Education (Warren, 1954). Although major progress
has been made throughout the decade since, schools today are still experiencing resegregation.
There is a major debate in today's society about the benefits of diversity in education and
whether society should actively counter this trend. This essay will argue that racial integration in
schools is essential for societal progress and promotes inclusivity in all schools.
Having diverse schools provides numerous advantages, including providing students with
social interaction skills with peers from different backgrounds. Being able to look around and not
look the same as every student in your classroom creates many questions and welcomes open
conversations. When students engage with other classmates from different racial, ethnic, and
cultural backgrounds it can provide so much important information that the students didn't know
because that's not their culture or background. Many people don't think to do their own research
about different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds so they're just unaware of these things.
Having diversity in classrooms provides and allows exploring these things and incorporating
them into the classroom. Learning about all of these new racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds
within the classroom can then encourage some of the students to want to learn more about the
topic and promote more conversation.
Next let’s discuss the many benefits of having diverse schools. There are so many
benefits of having diverse schools, many schools across the U.S. are becoming more racially
segregated. Some of these factors are school choice policies, residential patterns, and
socioeconomic disparities. This resegregation not only backtracks the progress made in
educational equality but also continues the systematic inequalities in society. When students are
limited from their peers, they lose the opportunity for more open-ended collaboration. Having
schools racially segregated not only limits conversation and collaboration but all students no
matter their race or background are losing out on important conversations and connections that
could be happening if schools weren't leaning more racially segregated. When you have schools
that are more racially segregated, students lose the opportunity to be fully culturally aware. In the
podcast called Miss Buchanan’s Period of Adjustment.” In season 2, Episode 3 of the podcast,
Revisionist History she says “You know it’s still the case that even when you look at two
students who are similar in math and reading achievement in elementary schools a white student
and a black student, that white student is still more than two times as likely to receive more
gifted services than the black student is” (15:26). We as a whole education system need to do
better about these certain perceptions one might have just based on your race.
We as an educational system need to put these biases and stereotypes away and have
teachers be culturally aware that these aren’t fairways to treat students. We should never have a
certain race of students who are two times as likely to receive more gifted services than anyone
else. That should never happen in any school system. We need to provide equal and quality
education to all and have fair access to all needs being met for every student. This will positively
affect the counter of re-segregated schools. The article by Huseman(2016) states “Given the
city’s history of mistreating and even expelling black residents and institutions, it’s no surprise
that Boise’s community now feels that the school’s future is precarious” (para.12). This is
another example of how we can’t have our public educational system treating colored students.
When people see and hear about these experiences happening at certain schools it gives the
school a bad reputation amongst the community members which is why people are learning
towards more segregated schools.
To counter the trend of re-segregation, there are many steps to be taken that are necessary.
First, having policymakers prioritize school funding is essential to ensuring that all students and
schools have access to all the resources necessary. When doing this, it can help attract a more
diverse student population and provide a quality education. Second, having school policies that
prioritize and promote diversity can encourage families to enroll their children in schools outside
of their neighborhoods. When a family sees a welcoming, open-minded, and diverse school it
may encourage them to enroll their children in that school.
Having a welcoming and open community is important in fostering an inclusive culture. Having
schools host events or after-school activities that celebrate diversity is super beneficial. These
events can encourage interactions among all students from different racial, ethnic, and cultural
backgrounds. As we recognize this unfortunate trend toward resegregation, it is important to
promote diversity and equitable access to quality education. By prioritizing school funding,
implementing inclusive school policies, and community engagement, we can have schools that
not only reflect our diverse society but also allow the preparation for a more inclusive world and
schooling system.
In conclusion, the racial integration of U.S. schools is not just a moral obligation but a
necessity that benefits all students in society. Having schools racially segregated not only limits
conversation and collaboration but all students no matter their race or background are losing out
on important conversations and connections that could be happening if schools weren't leaning
more racially segregated. Having schools promote resegregation continues, we must promote
diversity and equitable access to quality education. By having schools prioritize funding,
implementing inclusive school policies, and community engagement, we can have schools that
not only reflect our diverse society but also prepare and give access to every student to be more
culturally aware and knowledgeable.
Citation page
Huseman, J. (2016, June). “When the neighborhood gentrifies and the elementary school
doesn’t.” Article on Slate.com accessed at
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/tomorrows_test/2016/06/portland_s_albina_district_gent
rified_its_public_school_boise_eliot_humboldt.html
Gladwell, M. “Miss Buchanan’s Period of Adjustment.” Season 2, Episode 3 of the podcast,

Revisionist History. Accessed at Revisionist History Miss Buchanan's Period of
Adjustment
Warren, E. (1954). Brown v. Board of Education. Nystrom: USHistoryAtlas.com

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Kaylee Dore

topic and promote more conversation.

towards more segregated schools.

may encourage them to enroll their children in that school.

backgrounds. As we recognize this unfortunate trend toward resegregation, it is important to

culturally aware and knowledgeable.

Gladwell, M. “Miss Buchanan’s Period of Adjustment.” Season 2, Episode 3 of the podcast,

Warren, E. (1954). Brown v. Board of Education. Nystrom: USHistoryAtlas.com

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