Examples Of De Facto Segregation

De Jure Segregation means separation of people by law. A good example of this is the Jim Crow laws enforced here in the south. It was legal to have separate schools, housing, transportation, etc. for both races, black and white citizens. In the Brown case the Supreme Court ruled separate schools to be unconstitutional. However some states still violated the law. In the 1968 case, “Green v. County School Board, the Court reviewed a freedom-of-choice plan adopted by a small district in Virginia.” The school district created separate K-12 schools, one for Black and one for Whites. The students were allowed to attend the school of their choice. Caucasians refused to attend the Black school. Only a few of the Blacks attend the Caucasian school. The Court rule the plan was not unconstitutional, but failed to achieve integration.
De Facto Segregation means separation as a matter of fact and not by law. For example, Birmingham City Schools are mostly African American students due to the high concentration of African Americans in the neighborhoods. It is a matter of fact not law. As an educational leader, I learned our school District is De Facto Segregated. Due to changes in neighborhood population and White flight from the city, almost all Birmingham City Schools are 90% African Americans. Courts are cautious when ruling in
De Facto cases. “Plaintiffs must prove not only that segregated schooling exists but also that it was brought about or maintained by intentional state action.”
My school exemplifies this concept by adjusting to the changes in the District’s population.
The increase in Hispanics have impact our school enrollment. This requires educating staff to understand this new culture of students. We have made adjustments to enrollment documents. Many Hispanic students do not have birth certificates, social security numbers and immunization records. In addressing our African American students, we visit the neighborhoods of our students to get a better understanding of their culture. The principal did a staff tour of all the neighborhoods that feds into our high school. This is an enlightening
experience.
As an educational leader I plan to put this concept into practice by learning as much as possible about the students and their communities. We must educate the whole child. We have no control over the students who come into our schools. We are obligated to teach every student regardless to their circumstances. Every student can learn to reach their potential. Every student can become college and or career ready.
I will engage in professional development to become knowledgeable regarding appropriate classifications and eliminate discrimination where possible. As I am educate, I will provide training for my staff.
Segregation is not limited to race. Sometime students are segregated by gender, ability level, social status, etc. I will work diligently to create an inclusive environment.
Reflections
Most schools are still segregated even though it has been ruled unconstitutional. African American and Hispanic children are the most segregated groups. These schools generally are underperforming. The test scores and graduating rates are low. Usually the teachers are inexperienced.
Charter school is just another way of segregating schools. School leaders will choose who they will admit to their schools. Most charter schools have some sort of theme and will not admit low performing or special needs students.
Many years have passed since discrimination was ruled unconstitutional. However, there is still a deep divide among Black and Whites in this country. The constitution has changed, but the hearts and minds of many American remain the same. As Hillary Clinton recently said, it’s more divided than we thought.