There is nothing new about the call for racially integrated schools. Integration was a battle cry of the civil rights movement even as it was resisted mightily by many whites. But what does integration mean in today’s schools with students from a multitude of cultures? Does integration inevitably mean a loss of cultural identity? Or is it possible to foster unity through a deep appreciation of cultural difference?
And what is the relationship between integration and equity? How do efforts at cultural understanding translate into greater educational achievement? Or do they?
These are big questions, with major ramifications for our schools and society. Their answers are forged through the day-to-day work of teachers, students, parents and community members, aided by specialists like the educators we have in our studio this morning.
This edition of Truth to Tell explores the quest for integration and equity though the experience of one suburban school district, the Robbinsdale Area Schools. www.rdale.org
Marcellus Davis, program director of integration, equity and Indian education
Sadiq Ahmed, equity specialist
Anthony Taylor, coordinator of the Choice Is Us Program
Latisha Gray, director of marketing and public relations.