School zone segregation

Date and country of first publication

2021
United States

Definition

School zone segregation refers to the practice of dividing school districts or school attendance zones along racial or socioeconomic lines, resulting in unequal access to resources and opportunities for students based on their race or socioeconomic background.

Historically, school zone segregation has been a common practice in many countries, including the United States, where it has perpetuated racial and socioeconomic inequalities in education. This practice has often been driven by housing segregation patterns, where certain neighborhoods have a higher concentration of low-income or minority families, leading to schools in those areas having higher proportions of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The consequences of school zone segregation can be significant. Schools in disadvantaged areas often lack adequate resources, including quality teachers, modern facilities, and extracurricular activities. This can result in lower academic achievement, limited college and career opportunities, and a perpetuation of poverty and inequality for students from those communities.

Efforts to address school zone segregation have taken place through various means, such as school redistricting, zoning policies, and magnet or charter schools. These approaches aim to diversify student populations and allocate resources more equitably across school districts and zones. Additionally, initiatives like school choice programs and private school vouchers seek to provide families with alternative educational options outside of their assigned school zones.

While progress has been made in reducing school zone segregation, significant disparities remain in many education systems. Achieving true educational equity will require ongoing efforts to address the underlying factors contributing to school zone segregation, including housing and income inequalities, racial segregation patterns, and systemic biases in education policy and funding.

Notes

At its current state, this definition has been generated by a Large Language Model (LLM) so far without review by an independent researcher or a member of the curating team of segregation experts that keep the Segregation Wiki online. While we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its reliability, completeness and timeliness. Please use this content with caution and verify information as needed. Also, feel free to improve on the definition as you see fit, including the use of references and other informational resources. We value your input in enhancing the quality and accuracy of the definitions of segregation forms collectively offered in the Segregation Wiki ©.

Further reading

Taylor K., Frankenberg E. (2021) Student Assignment Policies and Racial and Income Segregation of Schools, School Attendance Zones, and Neighborhoods. Educational Administration Quarterly, 57(5), 747-775. SAGE Publications Inc..[1]