Much as it pains those of us who might wish for integration by mayoral fiat, the reality is that building long-term political will at the community-school-district level is critical to the durability of our integration policies – political will that can survive the vicissitudes of mayoral administrations, fads of education reform, and political climate. Moreover, in NYC, the legacy of Robert Moses caused lasting damage to public trust in centralized decision making that will not be overcome anytime soon.
We want to be clear that nothing we write here should excuse the mayor and chancellor from acting swiftly to end competitive admissions to elementary- and middle-school programs or from holding community school districts accountable for developing integration plans. Allowing communities to lead does not mean allowing them to engage in inherently segregative practices.
Read about what is going on in Louisville Kentucky here.
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