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Quote of the Month"I'm proud to report that we have received 15,791 applications from youngsters who are desirous of a less segregated setting in our region, and that represents a 14-percent increase from the previous year. Of those students, 5,715 were from Hartford and that represents a 19-percent increase from the past year. And of that amount again, 10,076 were from suburban communities representing a 22-percent increase from the past year.... There is a growing outcry, both in terms of Hartford and the suburban communities for participation and to have educational experiences in a more integrated setting." - George Coleman, Connecticut Department of Education |
Feature StoriesNew research on benefits of diversity in pre-k education: The Century Foundation has released new research, using data from 11 states, that shows improved math and language skills for students in socioeconomically diverse preschool settings. This research supports the Sheff Movement's call for Governor Malloy to promote integrated preschool program, rather than keeping low income children in separate pre-k programs. Our magnet schools in Hartford have demonstrated that integrated preschool is feasible and effective. Read more on the study here. |
Resources for Quality Integrated Education
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Sheff Movement in the News
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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.
Today, over 29% of Hartford Black and Latino children are attending integrated schools including 31 interdistrict magnet schools and over 30 participating suburban districts. In spite of this progress, 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 of integration have been inter-district magnet schools (run by both the Hartford Public Schools and CREC) and the Open Choice Program, which sends Hartford children to suburban schools. More than 1,100 Hartford students now take part in Open Choice, and 31 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's both realistic and ambitious, but needs additional funding to succeed. The plans's goal is to permit 42% if Hartford children to attend an integrated school by 2013. After that, we will move toward the next phase of implementation.
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, saying you support Sheff school-integration programs and asking what you can do to help. (click here.)
- Talk to your Board of Education. Suburban towns and schools have room to welcome more Hartford children in the Open Choice Program. Legislators also need to hear from their constituents who support magnet schools and other measures. Successful voluntary integration programs offer concrete steps to make all of these programs succeed.
- Come to our meetings and forward our emails to friends, colleagues, and family.
- Speak out. Talk to your neighbors and friends about the issue. Respond to news and write a letter to the editor of your town paper or call your elected officials.
What is at stake?
Connecticut has made progress in providing a quality, integrated education for all 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 racially and economically integrated schools, with better critical thinking skills and ability to navigate the workforce and the world.
Hartford is showing the rest of the nation that a two-way regional voluntary integration plan can succeed. Let's all work together to keep the momentum going.