What do we know about school desegregation?

Reviews the current state of knowledge on school desegregation and outlines progress attained and summarizes research findings on desegregation's consequences for educational achievement, race relations, and white flight. The quality of existing research is assessed while gaps in knowledge are identified. Relatively successful practices are discussed. Although considerable progress has been made in desegregating the nation's schools, particularly in the South, the results in terms of educational gains, racial tolerance, and enrollment stability have been mixed and generally inconclusive. This paper demonstrates how these results vary by age, sex, and race of child; characteristics of the desegregating school system; and method of desegregation. Recommendations for effective desegregation practices cover such topics as community relations, faculty preparation, curriculum reform, racial balance targets by school level, and student reassignment alternatives. The role of voluntary action and potential improvements in federal support activities are also treated.