Reflection on Part III of School: The Story of American Public Education

Reflecting on Part III of School: The History of American Public Education

The main takeaway that I received from Part III, was that this was a period of serious change for the American Public Education system. The 1950s - 1980s was a time of desegregation and reconstruction for public schools in America. After World War II, there was a significant expansion of the American public education system driven by the baby boom, increased government funding, and the push for universal access to schooling. This period was notably marked by the Civil Rights Movement, in which education's fight for equality began in Topeka, Kansas. At first in 1896, the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that segregation was constitutional as long as separate facilities were equal. Lo and behold, when lawyers of the NAACP traveled throughout the South, the segregated schools were never equal and black schools were often seriously underfunded. 

(The Warren Court)

With this data, the NAACP brought the case, Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka to the Supreme Court. It was May of 1954, when Chief Justice Earl Warren announced that "Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal" (138). 

(Mrs. Nettie Hunt and daughter Nikie on the steps of the Supreme Court & “Segregation in Schools is Outlawed”)

Even with this decision to desegregate schools active efforts were not enforced, so a majority of the Southern schools remained segregated. Luckily, new president Lyndon B. Johnson was here to enforce desegregation and equal education. Acts were passed that helped disadvantaged students such as the disabled or non-English speakers, providing funds for supporting their education. Materials were also published in nearly seventy languages and funds were provided for bilingual programs. Despite the effort in the education realm, the outside world was still experiencing forms of segregation and white flight to suburban areas didn't help the efforts to desegregate. Several conversations were had regarding the busing of students after the white flight however a solution was never found. The campaign for equality was not complete by 1980, however, the massive change had occurred partly because of the intervention of the courts and federal government. This theme of reform will be continued in the next two decades. 

Is separate but equal a viable option in education today? 

Separate but equal is not a viable option in any context. Here's why:

1. This concept of 'separate but equal' emerged during a time of deep racial segregation and discrimination, particularly in the United States. It was a phrase used to justify unequal treatment between people of color and whites in various aspects of life, including education, public facilities, transportation, and more.
2. We also know, based on our history that 'separate but equal' is inherently unequal. Even if separate facilities are provided with the intent of equality, history has shown that they almost always result in unequal treatment. Separate facilities tend to receive fewer resources, less funding, and less attention than their counterparts, leading to disparities in educational outcomes and opportunities.
3. As the United States of America, under the Constitution, we are taught to embrace diversity. As a citizen of this country diversity is one of our strongest attributes. Fostering inclusive environments is essential for promoting understanding, empathy, and mutual respect among individuals from different backgrounds. Especially, in educational settings, exposure to diverse perspectives, cultures, and experiences enriches learning and prepares students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.

Overall, these three main reasons are why I believe separate but equal is not a viable option, ever. 

Is this a course we should pursue as a society? 

No, this is not a course we should pursue as a society. We know that 'separate but equal' is inherently unequal in which case pursuing this course would only result in resegregation and inequity. Trying to pursue 'separate but equal' only says, "I am ok with segregation and do not care about equity". Ultimately, pursuing the concept of 'separate but equal' would only be taking a serious step backward as a nation when it comes to human rights.