The author of this paper reviews and discusses the issues behind and the decisions made by the Supreme Court in a number of school segregation cases since the 1950's. There has been no shortage of constitutional principles developed in these judicial opinions. Racial isolation and the "separate but equal" philosophy are but two of the principles which have been considered by the courts. However, the ultimate end in view is the securing of a sound and broadly based education for as many children as possible. The author holds this vision to be beyond authoritative extrapolation from general principles, and thus beyond the judiciary. Because education is, at bottom, defined culturally, those people who want it for their children must ultimately be consulted about how "education" should be defined. It would seem most fair, therefore, that educational policy be articulated in legislation and subjected to continuous accountability from the public, its ultimate consumer. (Author/GC)