Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

6-1983

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Major

Educational Administration and Supervision

Major Professor

Frederick P. Venditti

Committee Members

Charles M. Achilles, Thomas C. Hood, Robert Howard

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the amount of public school desegregation that occurred in the state of Tennessee between 1968 and 1978. Student enrollment data taken from Office for Civil Rights tapes were analyzed using two techniques—percentages and Coleman's R indices. Categories included: the state, the three Grand Divisions, and the large, medium, and small school systems.

A dramatic decrease in segregation occurred in all categories during the period studie^ In 1978 the percentage findings and the average levels of segregation had an inverse relationship in the East and West Grand Divisions. In all other categories, the relationship between the two methods of analysis were parallel.

Both the West Grand Division and the large school systems had a comparable resegregation percent. Further analysis showed that density of black students in Memphis dominated findings for the entire state as well as the other two categories.

Of the four urban systems, Nashville showed the best desegregation figures. The metropolitan desegregation plan in Nashville-Davidson County accounts for this success. High density of black students and geographical barriers have frustrated desegregation efforts in both Chattanooga and Memphis. Knoxville still maintains neighborhood schools which results in a high desegregation index. The court decisions for the four cities are diverse both in principle and result. The black enrollment in the cities controlled the findings in each Grand Division.

Federal judicial, legislative, and executive decisions caused school desegregation to occur in Tennessee and affected district court decisions. They also controlled local school system policies regarding student assignment practices. Although their effectiveness was documented in the study, further school desegregation efforts and solutions are needed in the larger cities. Because the same circumstances exist elsewhere, the general welfare of the country rests to a high degree on finding successful solutions for the problem of urban segregation. Separatism is not an acceptable solution. Recommendations for possible solutions included local, state, and federal policy changes and actions and intensified educational efforts.

Download
Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS