How Have They Fared in Desegregated Schools?
Three generations of children have passed through the Baton Rouge (Louisiana) school system since the “Brown” decision (1954) and one generation since the federal court’s 1981 desegregation order. The impact of school desegregation on African American children was studied in the East Baton Rouge School District. For the student body as a whole, graduation rates have declined slightly, stabilizing at about 60%. African American graduation rates have ranged from 50 to 65% over the time period. African American students have been, and remain, far more likely to be suspended than any other race. About half the African American students attending district middle schools in 1992-93 received at least one suspension. African American students are disproportionately represented in district special education programs. Racial isolation is increasing in the schools, with predominantly white gifted and talented students in one set of classes and the general school population, largely African Americ
