Desegregation in Chicago Public Schools in the Aftermath of PICS v. Seattle
Chicago is a city of neighborhoods, one that is still very segregated in housing. And that's why neighborhood schools are so lopsided in racial makeup. Magnet and selective enrollment schools were created to draw applicants from a wider range of neighborhoods. But many question if magnet and selective enrollment schools actually accomplish that. And so, CPS has been integrating schools, including selective enrollment schools. In 1980, the government placed Chicago Public Schools under a consent decree, which required schools to keep a 15 to 35% non-minority population. For schools that couldn't be integrated, CPS would start up compensatory programs, such as extracurriculars, extra reading programs or after-school tutoring.But this kind of affirmative action may not last. On June 28th, 2007, the Supreme Court finally made their decision on the case PICS v. Seattle or Parents Involved in Community Schools vs. the Seattle school district. They argued that the way the Seattle school district used race in admissions was unconstitutional.
Comments
I'm impressed with how professionally this piece was reported, written and edited. It seems like you have good tutelage from the classes you've been taking and are well on your way to a career as a reporter, if that's what you want to do! I would definitely put this on the air (although maybe trimmed down a bit.)
A couple suggestions, though. While you can keep the sort of stentorian tone with your reading, you might want to consider a looser, more personal feel to the way you're presenting this piece. If you're taking a look at your school, talking to people you have relationships with like your brother or your pricipal, give us the take that only you as someone who knows them can give us. What can you as a student tell us that another reporter couldn't? We will remember your personal story and illustrative annecdote before we remember the facts and figures surrounding the very complext debate.
MinhalB 