Lessons Lost in Six Decades Since Brown: Resurrecting the Sociocultural Dimensions of Race and Education

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Sixty years after Brown, we lack examples of truly integrated, racially diverse public schools in which all children feel equally valued. In order to understand why, we need to examine not only the policies that have been implemented, but also the fundamental educational issues that have not been addressed. This symposium will invite AERA members to grapple with the socio-cultural aspects of race and education in America. Past and present educational reforms have allowed educators to ignore the socio-cultural dimensions of education despite much research suggesting these are the very issues we should be addressing to help all children achieve to high standards. This symposium focuses on how we ended up here and what actions we should take moving forward.

Sub Unit

• Division G - Social Context of Education / Section 4: Social Context of Educational Policy, Politics, and Praxis

Chair

• Bianca J. Baldridge, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Papers

• School “Outer-gration” and “Tokenism”: Segregated Black Educators Critique the Implementation of Desegregation, 1954-1970 - Vanessa Siddle Walker, Emory University

• Race and Rigidity: Sociocultural Practices in a Market of Racially Segregated Charter Schools - Terrenda Corisa White, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Commonality Amid Growing Differences: Can the Common Core Standards Advance Schools’ Ability to Explore the Educational Benefits of Diversity? - Amy Stuart Wells, Teachers College, Columbia University; Lauren Fox, Teachers College, Columbia University

Discussants

• Gloria J. Ladson-Billings, University of Wisconsin - Madison

• Susan E. Eaton, Harvard University