Regional desegregation plans can help close racial and socioeconomic disparities between neighboring school districts, finds a new report by the Learning Policy Institute.
Using case studies from regional plans in Boston; Hartford, Conn.; and Omaha, Neb., it found early evidence that interdistrict plans can close racial performance gaps and reduce concentrations of minority and poor students. For example, a regional governance system for 11 Omaha-area districts led to a common tax levy, the development of popular new magnet schools, and significantly higher math and reading performance for low-income students who used the new open-enrollment systems.
The report recommended policymakers:
• Secure a metropolitanwide agreement;
• Establish a clear vision for educational equity;
• Sustain efforts with equitable resources;
• Create a strong data and evaluation plan.
