JCPS FACT: 2009 Board Goals; Racially Integrated Schools

In the Jefferson County Public Schools publication "Facts 2009," the Board Goals (p.3) state under "School Atmosphere" that, "All JCPS students will be safe, supported, respected and confident in racially integrated schools, classrooms and student activities.

We were under the impression that the Supreme Court had something to say about the bussing of students to create racially integrated schools in Louisville. The "Facts" book needs to be updated. The bussing of students will likely continue, but for economic disparity reasons, not racial ones. Coincidentally, the outcome will remain the same - racially integrated schools - but for "different" reasons. Call it what you like; just don't call it contempt for the Supreme Court.

We believe in integrated schools, but we also believe in neighborhood schools where parents and students alike have "buy-in" in the school. Neighborhood schools allow students to participate in extra curricular activities that they otherwise miss for being bussed across town. Neighborhood schools mean after school detention of students is possible and parents can be more accountable for a relationship with their child's school and their child's faculty and administration. If neighborhood schools are having problems, then those schools need focused attention. But taking children out of low performing schools and expecting them to perform better because they are in an integrated environment across town is like taking ill patients and spreading them out among the healthy with the expectation that their association with healthy people will reduce the gap in personal health. It's time to show the data that says bussing students across town improves student achievement. Otherwise, why are we doing it? School systems are for the education of students; not the social engineering of society.