1. School districts were required to implement many programs to accomplish desegregation over the years. Some are
simple; others are complex. Each plan had its relative advantages. Identify several of these desegregation plans, and
discuss their characteristics and advantages.
ANSWER: The plans identified could include the following: (a) alter attendance areas; (b) establish
magnet schools; (c) bus students involuntarily to desegregated schools; (d) pair schools,
bringing two schools in adjacent areas together in one larger zone; (e) provide
voluntary transfer of city students to suburban schools; and (f) allow controlled choice.
Advantages could be discussed from academic, social, economic, and other
perspectives.
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 12-1c Desegregation Plans
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: FOED.ORNS.17.12.01 – Describe the major obstacles and approached in
desegregating the schools.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Analyzing
2. You are part of the legal team in the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education. The case is winding down. The
chief attorney for the Topeka Board of Education has just presented his closing arguments, stating his case as to
why“separatebutequal”shouldremainthestatusquoandthelawoftheland.AsthechiefattorneyforOliverL.
Brown and his co-plaintiffs, it is your turn to present closing arguments. State your case briefly but concisely as to
why“separatebutequal”isinfactracialsegregationandwhyeducationalintegrationmust take place.
ANSWER: The answer should convincingly include such arguments as inequitable spending on
education with regard to blacks vs. whites, distances needed to be traveled to attend
same-race schools, the fact that although labeled separate but equal, the quality of
education at black schools was hardly equal in quality, and the argument that
segregation deprived black students of their constitutional rights as American citizens.
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
REFERENCES: 12-1a A Brief History of Segregeation in American Education
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: FOED.ORNS.17.12.01 – Describe the major obstacles and approached in
desegregating the schools.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Applying
3. Desegregation and integration are different in that only integration includes
a. development of community support.
b. development of positive interracial contact.
c. students of different races attending the same school.
d. students not being separated in racially isolated schools or classrooms.
ANSWER: b
DIFFICULTY: Easy
REFERENCES: 12-1 Desegregation
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: FOED.ORNS.17.12.01 – Describe the major obstacles and approached in
desegregating the schools.
KEYWORDS: Bloom’s: Remembering