Statement to  the Jefferson County Board of Education by Beverly D. Moore, President Louisville LWV.

September 1, 2010

Thank you, Superintendent Berman, Chairwoman Wesslund,  and Members of the Board of Education.

I am Beverly Moore, president of the Louisville League of Women Voters.

The League and the community are very aware of the pressures you are under regarding the student assignment plan. We are sure you will be able to find ways to improve the school transportation system.  The current student assignment plan has been in effect only for a year and is not fully implemented.  Inevitably, you will find ways to refine and improve it as we see how things work out. 

 We want to strongly emphasize, however, that any changes in the student assignment plan must move our schools toward more complete and equitable economic and racial desegregation.  Voluminous research continues to support the benefits of a diverse student body and the negative impact on students of a segregated system.  The major benefits are

·         Improved understanding of people with diverse backgrounds that provides all students preparation for adulthood in a diverse workplace with reduced prejudice  and stereotyping

·         Improved academic achievement for disadvantaged students without negative effects for advantaged students and

·         A more cohesive community that is supportive of all schools and children.

In contrast, racial isolation and economic stratification of schools result in detrimental attitudes and unequal schools.  There is a frequently heard claim that all we have to do is make all our schools good ones by providing equal funding and staffing. That approach has been shown to be inadequate   for district-wide improvement.  Of course, every child deserves a good school.  However, when schools are economically stratified with high concentrations of poverty in some schools, the reality is that additional funding will not counteract the negative effects of racial and economic segregation on attitudes, expectations, school culture, and student outcomes. Just today I received a recent report about the long term advantages of desegregated schools based on research in Seattle and Louisville.

                We depend on the School Board to keep the larger picture in mind,

·         to continue its commitment to enhance excellence with diversity;   

·         to create an equitable, engaging school system for all our children; and

·         to help parents understand this  amazing opportunity for their children to participate in diverse, inclusive schools. 

Delivered the Jefferson County Board of Education on September 1, 2010 by Beverly D. Moore, President Louisville LWV