Intersection of Diversity and Isolation Indicators of Racial Segregation Within Urban School Neighborhoods

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 26
  In Roundtable Session: Issues and Programs in Urban Education

Abstract

This research studies patterns of racial segregation for the diversity and isolation dimensions within St. Louis area neighborhoods and school districts. Evaluating diversity and isolation from a critical spatial perspective emphasizes the importance of place for equal opportunity across all student populations. Spatial analysis using GIS, maps diversity and isolation dimensions of segregation using racial data within census tracts. The spatial approach enhances understanding about the location and extent of diversity and isolation across school neighborhoods by mapping the intersection of these dimensions which more accurately represents how they operate across geographic space. An important finding is that in regions that appear diverse, there may also be neighborhoods where individuals or groups are isolated and segregated.

Author

• Mark Hogrebe, Washington University in St. Louis