This probably didn't make national news but it's a big deal down here. North Carolina's largest school system, Wake County (Raleigh area) just had school board elections. The hot topic was busing for "diversity". Up until a few years ago school assignments were made based on race. A few years ago they changed it to socioeconomic status, which for all intensive purposes is pretty much by race.
SAS institute is a very well-respected firm down here and a recent study showed no increase in matriculation rates of minorities despite the busing. The system was incredibly awkward...imagine having a family of 3 kids, all of which are going to different schools. On top of that, can you imagine having 2 kids going to a traditional school year calendar but having your other child sent to a school on a year-round calendar? Or how would you feel if your kids spent 2 hours + each day going to and from school while there is a school 5 minutes from their house. Or how about having your son or daughter be reassigned to a new school their senior year of high school?! All of the above happened on a regular basis in the name of "diversity".
Well 5 seats were up for election and if anti-busing, neighborhood school proponents won all 5 seats they would have a majority and be able to end busing.
Well all 5 won (one is going to a run-off but both candidates are anti-busing) and it signals the end to a long-standing debate in this growing area.
Before the election a poll showed that 46% of African American voters opposed current policieis, nearly half of Democrats said they opposed the policy and more than 80% of Republicans opposed them. Not surprisingly, the results were not releasd before the election because the firm was working for a Democratic political committee. Nothing like pushing and promoting a system that relatively no one wants for your political agenda-
Anyways, it's a big deal down here and likely an end to an era of a pretty ridiculous and flawes system.
SAS institute is a very well-respected firm down here and a recent study showed no increase in matriculation rates of minorities despite the busing. The system was incredibly awkward...imagine having a family of 3 kids, all of which are going to different schools. On top of that, can you imagine having 2 kids going to a traditional school year calendar but having your other child sent to a school on a year-round calendar? Or how would you feel if your kids spent 2 hours + each day going to and from school while there is a school 5 minutes from their house. Or how about having your son or daughter be reassigned to a new school their senior year of high school?! All of the above happened on a regular basis in the name of "diversity".
Well 5 seats were up for election and if anti-busing, neighborhood school proponents won all 5 seats they would have a majority and be able to end busing.
Well all 5 won (one is going to a run-off but both candidates are anti-busing) and it signals the end to a long-standing debate in this growing area.
Before the election a poll showed that 46% of African American voters opposed current policieis, nearly half of Democrats said they opposed the policy and more than 80% of Republicans opposed them. Not surprisingly, the results were not releasd before the election because the firm was working for a Democratic political committee. Nothing like pushing and promoting a system that relatively no one wants for your political agenda-
Anyways, it's a big deal down here and likely an end to an era of a pretty ridiculous and flawes system.
