Equity in education: Does it exist in Champaign-Urbana?
BY MICHAEL HOWIE
NEWS-GAZETTE CITY EDITOR
Published Online APRIL 25, 2004
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It's been 50 years since the landmark Supreme Court case that outlawed segregation in U.S. schools.
Because of that decision, blacks are supposed to be the equals of whites in schools everywhere. Including those in Champaign-Urbana.
Yet despite the efforts of hundreds of people spending thousands of hours and more than a million dollars, racial inequality exists every day in C-U schools. Blacks are still far more likely to be suspended, more likely to be placed in special education courses, less likely to be enrolled in gifted programs and less likely to see a teacher who resembles them in classrooms in Champaign or Urbana.
There are bright spots. More black students are getting access to programs for academically gifted children. An alternative program may lower suspension rates for blacks. Urbana High School's graduation rate for blacks was better last year than for whites. Both districts have active committees that continue to examine questions of equality.
For the next eight days, The News-Gazette will report on the equity of education in Champaign-Urbana. Our focus is on the eight years that have passed since a group of citizens brought formal complaints of inequity against the school districts.
News-Gazette staff writers Anne Cook and Ernst Lamothe Jr. spent weeks reviewing documents and interviewing dozens of people. Their special report was prepared in advance of a "town hall" meeting to discuss the state of equity and achievement in Champaign-Urbana schools.
You can reach Michael Howie at (217) 351-5211 or via e-mail at mhowie@news-gazette.com.
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