What You Can Do If your local school is under law suit, get the community involved using the lawsuit as an educational tool. This can be accomplished by writing op-eds, and showing up for press conferences, court dates, and rallies. Community groups can provide attorneys with important information on the day to day realities of the educational system. Use petitions as an organizing and educational tool on various education issues. Community groups and educational leaders must play an active role in challenging districts as declaration of unitary status is pursued.
Unitary status eliminates many rights of minority students.
In cases where it is granted these groups must monitor the resulting actions so that local officials do not make costly irreversible mistakes. Examine the effects of segregated schools and push for specific definitions of educational equality and good faith compliance by school districts. Advocates must insist that the actual results of new policies be evaluated independently and real provisions of opportunities be made for minorities. In addition, advocates should challenge school officials to provide professional leadership for the effective improvement of schools. Recognize the critical link between housing segregation and school segregation.