Educational racial segregation

Date and country of first publication^[1]

2015
Italy

Definition

Educational racial segregation refers to the practice of separating students based on their race or ethnicity in educational institutions. This practice has historically been utilized to perpetuate racism and discrimination.

In the United States, educational racial segregation was most prevalent during the era of Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation in various aspects of life, including schools. These laws mandated separate schools for White and Black students, with Black schools generally receiving fewer resources and funding compared to White schools.

The landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. However, despite the ruling, racial segregation in education continued to persist in many parts of the country, particularly through de facto segregation, where schools in racially segregated neighborhoods maintained segregated enrollments.

Today, educational racial segregation still exists in some parts of the United States, primarily due to the ongoing effects of residential segregation. Residential segregation, which occurs when different racial or ethnic groups live in separate areas within a city or region, can subsequently lead to segregated school enrollment based on neighborhood demographics.

Various efforts have been made to combat educational race segregation, including the implementation of desegregation and busing programs, affirmative action policies, and targeted interventions to address inequities in educational opportunities. However, achieving truly integrated and equitable education remains a challenge in many regions.

SF Synonyms

None