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| Supreme Court rejects school racial diversity plans |
| 2007-06-29 |
| Public school districts may not use race as the deciding factor in assigning students to schools. While the race of a student can be one of many characteristics taken into consideration to achieve diversity in the student body, it may not become the predominant criterion that determines which students are admitted to the most popular schools in a district. In a major 5-to-4 decision announced Thursday, the US Supreme Court struck down race-based public school enrollment plans in Seattle and Louisville, Ky., that were designed to maintain racially integrated student populations. The majority justices said the plans were unconstitutional because they relied too heavily on race in violation of the mandate that all Americans be treated equally regardless of skin color or ethnicity. "What do the racial classifications at issue here do, if not accord differential treatment on the basis of race?" asks Chief Justice John Roberts in his majority opinion. In announcing the ruling, Chief Justice Roberts gave public-school administrators throughout the nation perhaps their toughest assignment yet: Find a way to remain faithful to the promise of racially integrated schools under the landmark 1954 decision, Brown v. Board of Education, but do it without paying inordinate attention to the racial or ethnic background of the students. The decision in two consolidated cases is likely to spark legal challenges to many affirmative-action plans and other proactive race-conscious measures aimed at reaching out to African-Americans and other minorities. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 Arizona's largest school district - TUSD - noted in today's Arizona Daily Star that they will not be effected by the ruling. Essentially, they will keep on shifting students around according to race...or prevent them from changing schools due to race. This is why the charter schools are thriving here... p.s. TUSD also ostentatiously ignores restrictions on bilingual education...it thrives regardless of court rulings @ etc. :(( |
| Posted by: borgboy2001 2007-06-29 13:48 |
| #6 Its about standards and discipline stupid. Not about color or income. Also, some of the models and values of a community need to be changed. Education and learning must supplant gangsta rap and the adulation of "some" high paid sports celebrities who are basically criminals. Drugs in both black and white communities need to go. |
| Posted by: JohnQC 2007-06-29 09:44 |
| #5 What's scary is that this was a one vote sway. Apparently we still have some window lickers in the high court. |
| Posted by: Broadhead6 2007-06-29 09:18 |
| #4 The Kansas City Case the Donks and their party of race baiters never want the public to understand - an imperial judiciary imposing taxes without consent, money no object, all the things the excusers claim will create success, and one big failure. Its about standards and discipline stupid. Not about color or income. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2007-06-29 08:41 |
| #3 Besoeker dear, I'm afraid you give no indication of having suffered from (as opposed to during) your early deprivations. One might go so far as to say you've quite thrived on the challenge... and make for much more interesting stories, later. :-) Goodness knows, Mr. Wife's tales of his younger days are ever so much more interesting than mine, and he only grew up on the other side of town! |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-06-29 08:08 |
| #2 "What do the racial classifications at issue here do, if not accord differential treatment on the basis of race?" Profound indeed. Little wonder the justices enjoy lifetime employment. One would hope that the plight of disadvantaged South African-Americans is also give consideration. |
| Posted by: Besoeker 2007-06-29 06:43 |
| #1 Affirmative action: it CANNOT be mended, since two wrongs don't make a right. END IT NOW! |
| Posted by: Mac 2007-06-29 03:46 |