Busing

In the wake of equal opportunity pursuits, busing children away from their neighborhoods into racially homogenous schools was considered a valuable option in an attempt to create equal access to public elementary and secondary education. This strategy was used throughout northern and southern states as one method of school desegregation, beginning in the 1970s. Busing for racial balance meant that each school was to be a reflection of the larger community, with the goal of eradicating racially identifiable schools. Responses to busing differed greatly along racial lines, and the strategy received both support and criticism. As a result of the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954, the doctrine of “separate but equal” was deemed unconstitutional, and the Supreme Court set the path for ...