The benefits of diverse classroom settings are well established. How then to protect diversity in schools when the surrounding neighborhood is quickly becoming homogenous?
An article by Kyle Spencer examines the ideas behind a New York City Department of Education program "aimed at maintaining a racial and socio-economic balance at schools in fast-gentrifying neighborhoods."
"For the first time," reports Spencer, "the department is allowing a group of principals to set aside a percentage of seats for low-income families, English-language learners or students engaged with the child welfare system as a means of creating greater diversity within their schools."
The article includes a lot of anecdotal evidence from schools participating in the program around New York, along with mentions of the academic research behind the program. The ideas behind the program also recently gained traction at the national level, according to Spencer, when last week "President Obama put his support behind that research when he announced his budget would include a $120 million grant program for school integration initiatives that seek to deconcentrate poverty."
FULL STORY: New York Schools Wonder: How White Is Too White?
New York City More Diverse Than Ever
New census data has given some insight on how New York City has been changing in the past eight years or so. Diversity is on the rise, as is the number of children being raised in Manhattan.
Bitter Irony Behind Brooklyn’s Sweet Domino Sugar Sign
A new feature on the Brooklyn waterfront is a reminder that Domino Sugar has made several unsavory appearances in the history of Puerto Rican communities.
Market Rate Condos Could Replace Harlem Towers Proposal
After facing community opposition and a call for more deeply affordable housing units, developers withdrew their proposal for Harlem’s One45, prompting questions about the future of the site.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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