The Legacy of Segregation in Schools: Why Representation is the Real Solution

When we think about education, we often picture schools as the great equalizer—a place where every child has the same chance to succeed. But a closer look reveals a more complicated story, especially in the South, where the echoes of segregation still shape the landscape of public and private education.

ProPublica’s recent investigation into "segregation academies" highlights a troubling trend: private schools that were established to avoid integration are now receiving millions in taxpayer dollars through voucher programs. These schools, which remain overwhelmingly white, are a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched racial divides can persist—even as public money is funneled to support them.

A Parallel Problem: Teacher Diversity and the Equity Gap

While segregation academies grab headlines, there’s a quieter, but equally critical issue at play: the lack of teacher diversity in many public schools. Research tells us that representation matters not only for students but for teachers, too. Schools with racially diverse faculty are better equipped to foster inclusive environments, retain educators of color, and close equity gaps.

The Evidence

For Students: Studies show that having a teacher who shares a student’s racial background can improve academic outcomes, boost the likelihood of graduation, and even increase college enrollment rates. (Grissom, Rodriguez, & Kern, 2017),(Egalite, Kisida, & Winters, 2015),(Gershenson et al., 2022),(Joshi, Doan, & Springer, 2018)
For Teachers: Teachers of color are more likely to stay in schools where they have racially similar colleagues, according to Moran (2024). This is especially true for Black educators, who often face higher turnover rates due to feelings of isolation.

"1000 by 2025": A Local Effort for Lasting Change

In Jacksonville, Florida, we’ve been working to address these issues head-on through the "1000 by 2025" initiative. Our goal isn’t just to recruit more teachers of color—it’s to create an environment where they can thrive and make a lasting impact on students.

Here’s how we’re doing it:

Building a Pipeline: Programs like the Jacksonville Teacher Residency are equipping aspiring teachers with the tools they need to succeed, while community partnerships amplify their impact.
Changing the Narrative: Campaigns like The Ones and Real Men Teach celebrate the legacy of Black and Latino educators, inspiring future generations to follow in their footsteps.
Tracking Progress: Annual surveys help us understand the challenges teachers face and refine our approach. So far, the results are promising: 70% of participants are still teaching in the district.

Early results from our survey of Black and Hispanic Male teachers in Duval County show that the vast majority responded to the question of how many teachers did they have that shared the same racial characteristics as them.

The Voucher Debate: Opportunity or Inequity?

Meanwhile, voucher programs like North Carolina’s “Opportunity Scholarships” are expanding rapidly, often at the expense of public schools. ProPublica’s investigation revealed that these programs disproportionately benefit private schools with a legacy of segregation. While proponents argue that vouchers offer families more choice, critics point out that access remains uneven. As Michigan State professor Josh Cowen aptly put it: “Eligibility does not mean access.”

For Black families, the barriers are steep. Private schools receiving vouchers often charge tuition far beyond the voucher’s value, and many require in-person interviews or tours that subtly screen out certain applicants. The result? Schools like Northeast Academy and Lawrence Academy remain nearly all-white, even in majority-Black counties.

The Bigger Picture: Representation as the Solution

The contrast between these two stories—segregation academies benefiting from public money and efforts like "1000 by 2025" to diversify public schools—underscores a critical point: the solution isn’t segregation. It’s inclusion.

Representation in education matters because it shapes not just individual outcomes but entire communities. When students see themselves in their teachers, they’re more likely to feel valued, supported, and capable of success. And when teachers feel supported by their colleagues, they’re more likely to stay, creating a stable and inclusive school culture.

Moving Forward: Choosing Equity

As public funds continue to flow into private voucher programs, it’s worth asking: Are we investing in systems that unite us or divide us? Programs like "1000 by 2025" show what’s possible when we prioritize representation, equity, and inclusion. The work is far from over, but the goal is clear: a future where every student—and every teacher—feels like they belong.

Because education isn’t just about academics. It’s about building a society where everyone has a chance to thrive.

16 Dec 2024