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January 17, 2008
Shades of grayNSBA's Executive Director, Anne L. Bryant, has an interesting article in the latest issue of District Administration Magazine. The article, in Q&A format, is called Addressing Diversity's Gray Areas and examines some of the challenges facing school districts in light of the Supreme Court's recent decisions on student diversity.
Bryant offers some common sense answers to the tough questions that school districts are now facing.
How quickly does my school district need to act to ensure legal methods of student assignment are in place?
No timeline has been established for compliance. School districts will find it difficult to make changes in student assignments for the current school year. What school districts can do easily is consult with their school attorneys before making a decision on a hasty policy. A deliberate, methodical review of student assignment plans can help to minimize the racial aspects of the plan and ensure that long-term goals are in line with the Court's decision.What are some other ways that school districts can ensure diverse classrooms without using race as a deciding factor?
The Court encourages school districts to use "serious, good faith considerations of workable race-neutral alternatives," but it offers no explanation for what those are. NSBA recommends that school districts consider a race-neutral plan, using commissioned studies and research to inform the process, and involve the community.By tying diversity to educational goals, school districts ensure that the maximum educational benefit is achieved, rather than simply ensuring a demographic solution.
Two other resources that school districts might find useful are: An Educated Guess: Initial Guidance on Diversity in Public Schools After PICS v. Seattle School District and Not Black and White: Making Sense of the U.S. Supreme Court Decisions Regarding Race Conscious Student Assignment Plans, both available on NSBA's Web site.
Posted January 17, 2008 1:57 PM | School Law
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