January 26, 2015 - 12:48
In the Chemerinsky reading, I was struck by the influence of choice upon resegregation of schools. According to the reading, "Some school boards adopted so-called 'freedom of choice' plans which allowed students to choose the school where they would enroll and resulted in continuted segregation." This began after the Brown vs. Board of Education 1954 decision, but is still in practice to this day. I have always been a proponent of choice as I myself attended a choice school and benefited greatly from it. However, though it has occured to me that choice may play a role in resegregation, I had not realized that it's origins were directly correlated to white students leaving schools that were being desegregated. I question whether this was the first instance of this practice. It seems to me that choice may have been available before this time because, if it hadn't been, there may have been more opposition to choice if it were standing in the way of desegregation. But, if it was the first instance, I feel I should rethink my stance on choice. Though there are many benefits to the choice system and, if done correctly, individuals from every socioeconomic group can benefit, the origin may be reprehensible.
Does this mean choice should not exist? If it plays such a large role in resegregating schools, should choice no longer be an option? It may be important to note the differrences between choice today and choice at the time of the Brown decision. Does choice today exist to provide access to education regardless of housing area or socioeconomic class, as I had previously thought, or does it serve to encourage resegregation?