The Supreme Court?s decision on race base pupil assignment is due any time. Back in December the Justices heard lawyers from cases in both Jefferson County (Louisville) Kentucky, and Seattle, Washington.
These cases originate from both systems? policy to control racial diversity by admitting or denying admission to schools based on race. The school systems argue that racial diversity brings compelling benefits, while parents accuse the system of discrimination.
Yesterday, The Courier-Journal, a newspaper in Louisville, published, ?Busing?s end changed Charlotte schools.? The reporter blames the current demographics of Charlotte?s government schools on the district?s decision to implement a school choice plan in 2001, after a lengthy court case. He ignores many factors playing a significant role on the issues faced by the system.
Trend lines beginning before 1995 show a decline in white enrollment, but the reporter never analyzed trends before 2001. Each time the system tried to manipulate student assignment for racial percentages, instead of focusing on academics, families left. The system had 694 Limited English Proficient students in 1989, but by 2006 the number increased to 11,739. Anyone looking at trends knew the system was drastically changing, way before 2001. The lack of leadership and focus at the Board of Education level exasperated this situation.
The reporter disregards a county report released in 2006 analyzing the defeat of the 2005 school. Top four reasons: Wasting money, not spending money wisely; incompetent school board; system poorly managed; school board dishonest, not credible.
The reporter interviewed a majority of individuals who still whine about the demographics of schools, instead of focusing on student achievement. One interviewer ridiculously link the 35 percent increase of black students reading on grade level to the system?s desegregation plan before 2001. The reporter never mentioned the over million-dollar investment in a new reading curriculum, based on basics, occurring during the 1997-2002 time period. The reporter quoted the Principal of West Charlotte High School, a predominantly poor, minority school, who said ?his ?school is in dire need of more middle-class families that can bring involvement, money and high expectations.? He must also be one of the government educrats who blame poor achievement on demographics instead of leadership. Don?t expect changes until the system focuses on what it can change instead of what it cannot change.
As a former member of the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board during 1996-2001, I can prove this media spin ignores reality! Louisville, here is your warning: If you complicate student assignment instead of focusing on achievement, you will lose your middle class families. Focus on achievement and leadership in each school. Do whatever it takes to invest in principals and teachers who succeed in student learning, NOT busing or buildings.
