60 years after 'Brown v. Board,' a time to recommit

Patricia A. Coulter

is president and CEO of the Urban League of Philadelphia

May 17 marked the 60th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision - a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended legal segregation of schools. I emphasize the word legal because it would be many years, and many political fights, before school segregation was actually abolished.

In Brown v. Board, the court reversed the principal of "separate but equal," which had been enshrined in constitutional law with the court's Plessy v. Ferguson decision in 1896. That ruling allowed states to legally discriminate on the basis of race in public services, housing, employment, transportation, medical care - and education. More than a dozen states had segregated school systems in which African American children were clearly receiving an inferior education.

Brown v. Board would challenge that system. And, initially, the decision brought hope to African American communities.

Sixty years later, the promise of the Brown decision has yet to be fulfilled. Yes, America has changed. African Americans no longer have to ride in the back of the bus, eat at separate lunch counters, or drink from separate water fountains. But excellence and equity in education continue to challenge our urban and rural communities across this nation.

Education is the civil rights issue of today, with enormous impact on society. As we search for innovative ways to strengthen our economy, to build powerful armed forces that will protect this nation, and to compete in a global knowledge economy, we must make the education of every American child a priority at the local, state, and federal levels.

Although we no longer have legal segregation, many of our urban schools are just as segregated now as they were in 1954. As we adults argue over such things as charter vs. public schools, effective teaching, an adequate funding formula, and more, the children languish in ineffective, underfunded schools detrimental to the future of our region, whether we live in North Philadelphia or Lower Merion.

At the Urban League of Philadelphia, we believe that every American child should have access to an education that will prepare him or her for college, career, and life. The responsible implementation of the Common Core State Standards is a critical piece in the continuing fight for equity and excellence in education.

Pennsylvania is one of 44 states that have adopted the Common Core, and we urge the governor and the legislature to stop playing political games when it comes to the education of all of our children.

We recognize that the Common Core implementation, including assessments tied to the standards, may further expose inequities in the education system. We believe, however, that this exposure can lead to productive discussions and viable solutions directed toward our shared goal of achieving equitable educational opportunity for all.

The Common Core State Standards are only one part of the solution to the inequity, achievement, and proficiency challenges within our education system. Nonetheless, they are a key part of the solution and will inject additional quality and fairness that will help our city and our state become a model for all in the 21st century.

Last month, the Urban League awarded $162,800 in college-scholarship funding to 93 students. As we did so, it was clear to us that our children are counting on us. We must get this right - for them, for our shared future, and for our nation.