Official school segregation

Date and country of first publication

2022
United States

Definition

Official school segregation refers to the systematic separation of students based on their race or ethnicity within educational institutions, as mandated or enforced by governmental authorities through laws, regulations, or policies. This form of segregation has historically been prevalent in societies where racial discrimination is institutionalized, such as during the Jim Crow era in the United States.

During periods of official school segregation, laws and policies were enacted to create separate educational facilities, resources, and opportunities for students of different racial or ethnic backgrounds. These laws often mandated the establishment of "separate but equal" schools for white and non-white students, although in practice, the facilities and resources provided to non-white students were typically inferior.

Official school segregation had profound consequences for the quality of education and the opportunities available to students from marginalized racial or ethnic groups. It perpetuated inequalities, reinforced racial hierarchies, and limited the social and economic mobility of non-white students.

Efforts to address official school segregation have involved legal challenges, social activism, and advocacy for policies and practices that promote integration, equality, and inclusivity in education. These efforts aim to dismantle discriminatory laws and ensure that all students have access to high-quality education regardless of their race or ethnicity.

Official school segregation appears in the following literature

Kafka J., Matheny C. (2022). Racial Integration, White Appropriation, and School Choice: The Demise of the Colored Schools of Late Nineteenth Century Brooklyn. Journal of Urban History, 48(1), 35-62. SAGE Publications Inc..https://doi.org/10.1177/0096144220933229