Northern Ireland endured a quarter century of political violence from 1969 until the declaration of ceasefires in 1994. Although a political settlement was signed in 1998, the actual implementation of agreed institutions has proved to be very difficult and the actual institutions have been fragile (and are currently under suspension). The purpose…

Any "choice" plan that promotes vouchers could weaken the public education system and lead to racial, economic, and social isolation of children. Further, letting parents choose their child's school will not qualitatively enhance parental involvement. Rather, increased parental participation should be promoted through the PTA, tutoring,…

Argues that the effect of a proposed tuition tax credit is school segregation, creating serious constitutional objections under the due process clause. A voucher system would avoid these constitutional objections. Available from the Yale Law Journal, 401A Yale Station, New Haven, CT 06520. (Author/IRT)

A Paterson (New Jersey) teacher criticizes well-meaning prescriptions for educating students for a civil society. Reforms based on skills-based instruction and test-driven assessment are failing. Inequality is the core issue. Schools cannot compensate for class and racial inequalities, particularly if inequitable funding mechanisms persist.…

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that special education does not constitute segregation in the same sense as racial segregation. Race is not relevant in determining educational service delivery, whereas disability may imply different kinds of teaching. In some cases, separation of students with disabilities can be protective of their rights to an…

This essay analyzes the contemporary understandings of, and the aims attributed to, "industrial" education for Africans which came to be strongly associated with "agricultural education" in the Cape Colony between 1890 and 1930. The author first sketches the early history of industrial education from the 1850s to show how this…

The Supreme Court's landmark Brown decision changed the total pattern of race relations in the United States and helped to solidify the foundations of American democracy for the benefit of all Americans. Ironically, although the specific issue which resulted in the Brown decision was concerned with the constitutionality of racially segregated…

Three basic reasons commend metropolitan approaches to public school desegregation in urban America. The first of these reasons is widely understood: the racial demography of many of the nation's cities demands a metropolitan perspective on the process. Related to this factor is the second reason: metropolitan approaches deter resegregation.…

A review of Supreme Court decisions concerning the intent standard, and an exploration of political scientists' findings concerning the nature of decision-making processes in American communities, leads to the conclusion that the standard does not place the burden of proof on those who follow policies that result in segregation. (CMG)

Compares the records of the Warren Court and the Burger Court on education-related cases concerning religion and the schools, teachers' loyalty, due process and racial segregation, freedom of expression, civil rights, and equal protection under the law. Reports the voting record of individual justices. (Author/MLF)

This article by the Rochester Urban League focuses on the need for the Rochester Board of Education to take initiatives to reduce minority group isolation in the school system of Rochester and Monroe County. Reviews recent enrollment and demographic trends, student achievement, current policies to reduce minority isolation, and guidelines…

This article discusses the question of segregating Spanish-speaking pupils, with reference to New Jersey law and practice. Benefits of native language teaching are weighed against the social isolation this imposes on Hispanic students. Attitudes of Hispanic parents, court doctrine, and desegregation practices which focus only on race are analyzed.…

This statement on school and residential segregation, signed by 38 educators and social scientists, was prepared for attorneys connected with litigation concerning the Dayton and Columbus school systems. (RLV)

Legal segregation might be dead, but many metropolitan schools remain overwhelmingly black and poor--a result of years of white flight from central cities and recent court decisions accelerating a return to neighborhood schools. At the same time, the bourgeoning Hispanic population is finding itself in increasingly segregated schools across the…

Provides a historical overview of public education, advocates freedom of choice as the best method for distributing education, describes some of the benefits of parental choice, and answers objections to tuition tax credits. (SK)