Don’t Be Surprised: School Segregation Has Been Hiding in Plain Sight

Despite the landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, studies reveal that K–12 public schools in the U.S. are today more racially segregated than in 1954. Recently, the U.S. Department of Justice quietly rescinded a long-standing federal desegregation order in Louisiana, which has implications for the protections that Brown established for Black students. While officials claim compliance, civil rights advocates express concern over the decision's timing amid the Trump administration's proposed changes to the Department of Education. Dr. Gary Orfield of UCLA emphasizes that segregation negatively impacts educational opportunities for Black youth. As the country witnesses a regression in progress, leaders urge communities to actively fight for equitable education and uplift Black educators vital to their success.