This was a very useful and well-written article on an important decision. Thank you.

Agreed. Good article.

While I appreciate Craig Goldman's stance of not condoning segregation, I think there are schools that have been, and continue to be segregated in the MVWSD. In the English Only strand of Castro Elementary, there is almost a 100% low SES, 100% ELL community. Because Castro also has a dual immersion program which is double the size of the English Only program, on paper the school looks integrated. This is not the case. If one were to go inside any of the English only classrooms at Castro, one would most certainly see a classroom that is de facto segregated.

In not taking this money, I would really appreciate if Craig Goldman and other administrators developed a systematic way of reintegrating these schools. (This would also include creating incentives for schools such as Castro that attract non-low SES. non-Latino families.) I know that it is not wholly an administrative decision that needs to be made, but also an education of those families opting out of schools like Monta Loma, Theurakaft, and Castro. That is--We, as a community, must emphasize the value of learning in a diverse setting given the changing composition of America. Also, we should emphasize the negative effects involved in voluntary segregating. I do feel that if the Administration could develop attractive incentives at these schools ( for example, lower class size, guaranteed non combination classrooms, or state of the art technology) This would probably help attract a more diverse student population

Let me see if I understand what this article says:

(1) Mr. Goldman says that students in low income families are not as smart as those with regular income.
(2) The schools in his district are not able to meet state and federal requirements for excellence in schools.
(3) He knows in advance, without even trying that the schools will fail to meet the requirements. Can you say "self-sustaining premise?"
(4) Smarter students who are able to pass the tests will be forced to stay in the worst schools in the district even though the law allows them to transfer to the better schools.
(5) He is foregoing the money that would allow the employment of better teachers that might raise the standards of the schools.

I cannot believe that Ted Kennedy, the Lion of the Senate, could have worked on a bill that had "impossible" goals.

Perhaps it would be useful to know what other school districts are voluntarily giving up their Title I funds.

Giving away nearly HALF A MILLION DOLLARS in funding per year, intended for the most needy children with the LEAST amount of family support in the LOWEST performing schools is a disgrace. It is unethical. There not WORDS to describe how I feel about this. All I can say is, SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!!
Bubb and Huff will retain the same funding, the low performing schools will each lose nearly $100,000 per year, with NO HOPE Of replacing these funds. This has NOTHING to do with segregation, that is purely and simply an excuse for failure. I hope there is still time for Mr. Goldman to reverse his decision. In any case, this should most definitely be reported to the State and County school board. I hate to use the "R" word, but only schools with predominantly Latino kids will lose money, and LOTS OF IT.