Since 1965, Fayette County schools have been operating under a desegregation order. Some worry that without court oversight, the system will resegregate.
Daniel Kiel, whose documentary chronicled the ‘Memphis 13,’ sees vouchers and ‘colorblind’ policies eroding progress on desegregation.
Ruby Bridges, who lost a son to a shooting in 2005, says the letter from 11-year-old Ben Williams resonated with her.
Williams cites the district’s infrastructure improvements as a key step, and calls on other community partners to pitch in.
A student-led call for more restrictive gun laws went unheard. Meanwhile, the state dialed up the pressure on public schools.
Barely a quarter of students who graduated high school in 2012 had earned a degree 10 years later.
Fourteen schools had rates of 90% or higher. District officials credit tutoring, graduation coaches and other efforts.
Trezevant is the default option, but transportation will be offered to two other schools as well.