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A School Desegregation Order Ends: A Step Backwards?
For nearly six decades, a school desegregation order hung over Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Now, it's gone. The U.S. Department of Justice's decision to lift this order, issued in 1966, has sparked a firestorm of debate. Is this a necessary step forward, or a dangerous slide back towards school segregation?
This article will delve into the history of school desegregation orders, the reasons behind the Louisiana decision, and the concerns raised by civil rights advocates.
Understanding School Desegregation Orders
Following the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling in 1954, which declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional, the fight for school integration was far from over. Many districts resisted desegregation. To enforce the law, the Department of Justice issued numerous desegregation orders throughout the 1960s and beyond.
- These orders, often part of court-ordered agreements, aimed to dismantle the legacy of segregation in public schools.
- They typically addressed key areas such as school zoning, student assignment, faculty hiring practices, transportation, equitable access to programs and services, and disciplinary equity.
- Orders remained in place until a district could convincingly demonstrate that the effects of past segregation had been fully eradicated.
The Louisiana Case: A Turning Point?
The Plaquemines Parish school district was declared integrated in 1975. However, due to a judge's death and missing court records, the case remained dormant for decades. The DOJ and Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill jointly moved to end the order, claiming all claims had been “fully resolved.” Superintendent Shelley Ritz argued that the ongoing reporting requirements placed an undue burden on her small district.
- Concerns about the future: Civil rights groups fear this decision sets a precedent. They point to evidence suggesting many schools today are more segregated than they were in 1954.
- Re-segregation risk: Research consistently shows that once oversight ends, schools often rapidly resegregate.
- More orders at risk: Louisiana's Attorney General has requested reviews of other desegregation orders in the state, suggesting more could be terminated. Over 130 school districts nationwide remain under similar orders.
A Troubling Trend?
While officials argue the orders are outdated and burdensome, critics like Johnathan Smith and education policy expert Halley Potter see this as a setback for educational equality. They warn that ending these orders does not magically erase the deep-seated inequalities that remain. The fight for truly integrated and equitable schools continues, and the lifting of these orders is a significant development that will be closely watched in the years to come.
Conclusion
The termination of the decades-long school desegregation order in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, marks a pivotal moment. While officials view it as a step forward, concerns remain that it could lead to increased school segregation. The debate highlights the ongoing struggle for educational equity and the complex legacy of racial segregation in the United States. The future of similar orders across the country hangs in the balance, setting the stage for potential legal challenges and further discussions on how to achieve true integration in America's public schools.
