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What is the Sheff Movement?

We are parents, citizens, educators and others who care about civil rights and education. We work to educate the public about proven voluntary integration measures and increase support for quality education for all children.

In 1996, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled that the segregated conditions in the Hartford public school system violate the Connecticut Constitution and charged the state of Connecticut with devising a remedy.

Despite some progress, today only 16% of Hartford children are attending integrated schools. State settlements have not been fully supported and have failed to reach their goals. Much more needs to be done to guarantee the right of every Hartford student to a quality integrated education.

What has happened since the 1996 ruling?

The main tools have been inter-district magnet schools and Project Choice, which sends Hartford children to suburban schools. More than 1,000 Hartford students now take part in Project Choice, and 22 new regional magnet schools have been created, most within Hartford.

The plaintiffs returned to court in 2007, seeking stronger state involvement. After the conclusion of the hearing, the parties negotiated for several months, and in April 2008 agreed on a new five-year settlement to expand voluntary integration measures in the region. The agreement was approved by the court in June 2008 and followed by a "Comprehensive Management Plan" adopted in December 2008. The new plan is both realistic and ambitious, but needs additional funding to succeed.

What can I do?

  • Sign up on this website. We'll keep you informed of events, new research, and how you can help.

  • Contact your state legislator supporting the 2009 legislative package that is needed to expand Sheff programs (click here.)

  • Host a video party or put our DVD on your town's cable access station. We have made several videos that highlight the benefits of integration and how suburban parents have made their towns' Project Choice programs successful.

  • Talk to your Board of Education. Suburban towns and schools have room to welcome more Hartford children. Legislators also need to hear from their constituents that we support magnet schools and other measures. Successful voluntary integration programs offer concrete steps to make all of these programs succeed.

  • Speak out. Talk to your neighbors and friends about the issue. Respond to news and write a letter to the editor or call your elected officials.

What is at stake?

Connecticut is failing the children in our urban schools. Aside from the moral reasons to correct this imbalance, there are severe economic repercussions. Children are not getting the chance to learn and ultimately will lack basic skills to contribute to our society or compete in the job market. Yet our state's economic future will depend on their contributions. The current system serves no one in the long run. Research shows that all students are better off in integrated schools, with better critical thinking skills and ability to navigate the workforce and the world. By allowing the current educational system to persist, we are continue on a slow yet steady course to economic stagnation and inequality.