Stepping over the Color Line (Paperback)

Amy Stuart Wells

ISBN 10: 0300081332 / ISBN 13: 9780300081336

Published by Yale University Press, New Haven, 1999

About this Item

Paperback. This important book takes the discussion of racial inequality in America beyond simplistic arguments of white racism and black victimization to a more complex conversation about the separate but unequal situation in many schools today. Amy Stuart Wells and Robert Crain investigate the St. Louis, Missouri, school desegregation plan, a unique agreement that since 1983 has given black inner-city students the right to choose to attend predominantly white suburban schools. After five years of research and hundreds of interviews with policymakers, administrators, teachers, students, and parents, Wells and Crain conclude that when school desegregation is examined from these many perspectives, more strengths than weaknesses emerge. They call for a reexamination of now-popular school choice policies across the country so that these policies may help to bring about more racial and social-class integration.Stepping over the Color Line intertwines data on student achievement and racial isolation with stories of the people who participated in the St. Louis program. The authors set these individuals within a broad historical and social context and demonstrate how important linkages between the past and present help explain why efforts to overcome racial inequality-in St. Louis and in the larger society-are so difficult. "The authors do a superb job of explaining how this innovative program came about, placing it in a broad context that takes it beyond its immediate and local implications. The book is at times heartbreaking and at times uplifting."-Richard Zweigenhaft, co-author of Blacks in the White Establishment? A Study of Race and Class in America This study of a school choice plan in St. Louis, Missouri - which allowed black students to attend suburban schools - reveals the ugliness and beauty of American race relations. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9780300081336

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Stepping over the Color Line (Paperback)
• Publisher: Yale University Press, New Haven
• Publication Date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0300081332
• ISBN 13: 9780300081336
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

This important book takes the discussion of racial inequality in America beyond simplistic arguments of white racism and black victimization to a more complex conversation about the separate but unequal situation in many schools today. Amy Stuart Wells and Robert Crain investigate the St. Louis Missouri school desegregation plan a unique agreement that since 1983 has given black inner-city students the right to choose to attend predominantly white suburban schools. After five years of research and hundreds of interviews with policymakers administrators teachers students and parents Wells and Crain conclude that when school desegregation is examined from these many perspectives more strengths than weaknesses emerge. They call for a reexamination of now-popular school choice policies across the country so that these policies may help to bring about more racial and social-class integration.

Stepping over the Color Line intertwines data on student achievement and racial isolation with stories of the people who participated in the St. Louis program. The authors set these individuals within a broad historical and social context and demonstrate how important linkages between the past and present help explain why efforts to overcome racial inequality--in St. Louis and in the larger society--are so difficult.

The authors do a superb job of explaining how this innovative program came about placing it in a broad context that takes it beyond its immediate and local implications. The book is at times heartbreaking and at times uplifting.--Richard Zweigenhaft co-author of Blacks in the White Establishment? A Study of Race and Class in America

About the Author

Amy Stuart Wells is associate professor of educational policy, UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies. Robert L. Crain is professor of the sociology of education, Teachers College, Columbia University.