Should districts zone for economic diversity? (Atlanta, White: middle-class, 2015, evictions)

[arjay57]

Interesting take.

The resegregation of schools has been happening across metro Atlanta for the last 40 years. Researchers blame suburban residential housing patterns, but even urban schools in Atlanta, DeKalb and Fulton lack diversity. This residential segregation and a parental preference for neighborhood schools have led to far fewer integrated classrooms in metro Atlanta.

Some argue it’s not a racial divide that creates inequities in our schools, but an income divide. White parents have higher education attainment and higher incomes, so they’re better able to get involved in their schools and insist on excellence.

Research shows middle-class schools provide better learning environments for all kids. The realities of poverty — lack of health care, poor nutrition, housing evictions, job losses, drug and alcohol struggles — can overwhelm schools. Attendance zones designed to achieve socioeconomic diversity assure that poverty is not concentrated in any one school.

But others argue middle-class parents don’t want poor kids in their schools and build all sorts of walls to lock them out. Rather than attempt to storm those walls, why not fix the schools in the poor communities? Why not direct resources into these high-poverty schools and make them excellent?

More...Broken system of separate but unequal schools: Should districts zone for economic diversity? | Get Schooled

[2nd trick op]

Just what we need! Another Left-leaning do-gooder trying to meddle in everyone else's personal and economic life.

But others argue middle-class parents don’t want poor kids in their schools and build all sorts of walls to lock them out. Rather than attempt to storm those walls, why not fix the schools in the poor communities? Why not direct resources into these high-poverty schools and make them excellent?

Because the problem isn't the schools, and it isn't the unfortunates trapped in them. It's the culture of irresponsibility and sham egalitarianism fostered and propagated by the unions and bureaucrats who control our "educational" system.

All education should be private, with a voucher system for those who can't afford it. Jettison the socialistic theories and concentrate on the basics, and the empirical facts. And the NEA can stay in its fantasyland.