Press Releases

Sixty-two years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that school segregation was unconstitutional. Its Brown v. Board of Education ruling underscored what people of color in communities already knew—that racially segregated, or separate, schools were definitely not equal. The ruling opened doors of opportunity for low-income, minority students that resonate to this day.

In an ideal world, a good public school education is the great equalizer that enables children of all races from any ZIP code to achieve both professional and personal success. In the real world, however, children who are poor and black or Hispanic are still receiving woefully unequal educations in largely racially segregated schools.

According to a report from the Government Accountability Office released today, the percentage of K-12 public schools with a majority of students who are poor and black or Hispanic grew from 9 to 16 percent between the 2000-01 and 2013-14 academic years. In addition, 75-100 percent of the students were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, which is a common indicator of poverty. The schools also are far less likely to offer adequate math and science courses or college preparatory and advanced placement classes, and more likely to suspend or expel students and use exclusionary discipline.

It is the duty of leaders in our communities and all branches of government to do all that we can to close these persistent gaps in equality and make good on the promise of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education.