The Hechinger Report
School segregation trends since Brown v. Board of Education show progress but also regression since 1990s. Integrated classrooms enhance learning, yet consistent test scores data is lacking. Reading scores available since 1971, math since 1978. Black students’ achievement improved in 70s and 80s, but gap with white students widened due to faster white achievement growth. Pandemic worsened achievement for both, more for Black students. Reading improvement for Black students dramatic in 70s and 80s, gap narrowest in 1988. President Johnson’s War on Poverty and education investments credited for halving achievement gap. Elimination of these policies increased gap by 30% over 35 years. Math scores consistently improved for both groups