No. 105      Institute for Learning

The August 1996 integration court order states:

In order to comply with the court order, data showing the spring classroom racial/ethnic balance have been compiled so that the racial/ethnic balance in classrooms can be determined. A balanced classroom is one that falls within + (plus) or - (minus) 20 percent of the school's racial/ethnic balance.

Under separate cover you will receive a copy of Classes Needing Attention to Achieve Racial Balance. This is a listing of classes (by room number for elementary and by teacher for secondary) that fall out of racial/ethnic balance +/- 20 percent of the proportion of White students in the school as determined by computer analysis. The "majority deviation" column is the deviation of the percent White students from the +/- 20 percent range. A positive number indicates that White students are over represented, a negative number indicates that White students are underrepresented in the class. The "Justifiable Reason" column needs to be completed using Attachment 1. Determine whether each classroom listed falls under one of the justifiable explanations and write the corresponding number of the reason in this column.

the site are balanced--nothing further needs to be done. There is no need to return any of the attachments.

The following is a description of the attachments and directions for completing them:

Attachment 1 - Justifiable Explanations for Classes Out of Racial/Ethnic Balance. This is the listing of justifiable explanations for homogeneous groupings of students. These explanations are the only acceptable reasons for a classroom to be out of racial/ethnic balance. If any of the classes do not meet the criteria for justifiable reasons, complete Goals for Classes Needing Attention to Achieve Racial/Ethnic Balance (Attachment 3). The justifiable reasons are currently under review and may be revised for next year.

Attachment 2 – Board of Education Policy. This is an explanation of the Board of Education policy on racial/ethnic balance in classes.

Attachment 3 - Goals for Classes Needing Attention to Achieve Racial/Ethnic Balance. This form is used for the classrooms on your list that do not meet any of the justifiable explanations (Attachment 1). List each classroom and state the goal for achieving racial/ethnic balance. Please indicate the date by which the goal is to be accomplished.

Please complete and return your Classes Needing Attention to Achieve Racial Balance you received under separate cover and Attachment 3 to Integration Reporting, Room 2129 by April 18, 2001. This information will be used to compile the Report of Classroom Racial/Ethnic Balance 2000-2001. If you have questions, please call Sandra Robles at 619-725-5654.