Leaders in civil rights and education came together in this gathering to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. They presented compelling evidence that the promise of educational equality has not been fulfilled. African-American students are more likely than their white peers to receive an inadequate education, taught by unqualified teachers in deteriorating buildings, according to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The organization hosted a four-day conference prior to the anniversary of the historic case, where they released a new report highlighting the growing segregation in schools across the country.
The conditions described by the NAACP are concerning, especially at a time when schools are becoming more segregated. The report shows that African-American and Latino students are increasingly attending schools with fewer white students. Many schools have regressed in terms of desegregation after court orders were lifted.
The NAACP President, Kweisi Mfume, emphasized that the challenges they face now are greater than ever. He stated that it will take decades of advocacy at the federal, state, and local level to fulfill the promise of Brown. The NAACP called the conference in order to evaluate their strategies and plan their next steps based on the findings of the report.
Three main concerns emerged during the conference. First, there is a lack of equal resources among different school districts. Second, there are disparities in test scores between white students and most minority students. And third, there is a concern regarding the quality of teachers in districts with high numbers of minority students.
Speakers at the conference urged NAACP members to take action through the court system when they witness injustice. They encouraged the filing of lawsuits and briefs, following in the footsteps of Thurgood Marshall and other activists who played a crucial role in the Brown decision. It was highlighted that historically, they have not been as aggressive as their predecessors and need to take more action.
The conference took place near the Monroe School, which recently reopened as a museum and the official Brown v. Board National Historic Site. President Bush and Senator John F. Kerry were among the dignitaries who attended the commemorations of the May 17 anniversary.
Much of the focus during the NAACP gathering was centered around equity in funding. The federal government was urged to allocate more money to programs like Title I and Pell Grants for K-12 and college students in need. State governments were also encouraged to prioritize efforts to attract and retain qualified teachers in high-poverty schools and provide early childhood programs in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Access to college was another major concern addressed at the conference, with speakers emphasizing the need for specific race-based programs to help African-American students gain admission to top colleges and universities. They referred to the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the University of Michigan’s use of race as a factor in admissions as a continuation of the Brown decision.
During the conference, there were divisions among the participants on issues such as charter schools and student testing. Older participants, many of whom attended segregated schools, tended to oppose accountability measures which they believed would lead to the exclusion of low-performing students. This perspective clashed with the views of younger attendees, who saw tougher accountability measures as a way to ensure fairness and equity.
Although there was widespread opposition to vouchers, the participants had differing opinions on the role of charter schools. Some criticized charter schools as a threat to improving regular public schools, while others saw them as a necessary alternative. Eric J. Smith, the superintendent of Anne Arundel County schools, received applause when he spoke against charters, vouchers, and privatization measures, describing them as a complete waste. Attendees also expressed criticism towards high-stakes tests and exit exams required for high school diplomas. However, a representative from Tennessee defended the need for such assessments, citing low passing rates on 10th-grade tests in Memphis. In response, the state board is considering alternative options and redesigning the high school curriculum to include more rigorous courses. The NAACP report highlighted the role of segregated housing in the resegregation of schools, with Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago public schools, emphasizing that many people choose to live apart due to fear of the unknown. In Chicago, efforts have been made to improve educational quality and attract students from more affluent families through magnet schools. Despite the celebratory events, the meeting had a serious undertone, with Duncan stating that both integration and equality are still elusive after the Brown decision. Coverage of the 50th anniversary of the Brown decision is funded by grants from the Ford and Rockefeller foundations.