Specifically, you want to understand the ideas and important concepts that people are arguing over related to school desegregation. This is important because the concepts that people argue about are pretty complex with many different sides and opinions to consider.

Because you will understand the details that make up a concept or idea, you will be in a good position to know when others don't really understand what they are talking about. You will be able to help them fill in the gaps of their knowledge. Think of this as you helping them understand the definition of a new word, law in science, or rule in math.

If you can present the history of current opinions and cases of school desegregation, then you can help your group understand the key issues people are in disagreement over. A wise man once said that "defining the terms" is the first step to wisdom. So crack the books, click the Net, and switch on your brain.

1. Read the Web pages linked below. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the pages on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

2. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to prove your point.

3. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into an explanation answering:

   What are the critical attributes to the current debate over desegregating schools? What factors must be considered when presenting a solution on this topic?

   As with all reporters, you will have to search for the truth to come to your interpretation.

Internet Resources
Use the Internet information linked below and these questions to analyze the current events related to desegregation:

1. Does segregation still exist? Give three examples.
2. What are the key issues that schools, parents, and communities are fighting over?
3. Is the situation different than it was in Little Rock in 1957?
4. If it is different, what are the main issues / problems we face today?
5. What are influences that promote 'resegregation?'
6. Summarize the most important issues and opinions surrounding "desegregation today" in a cluster or mind map.

• Are U.S. Schools Becoming More Segregated? Learning Point Associates
• School Desegregation research from The President and Fellows of Harvard College
• Sheff legacy still lingers in New Haven published 1999 in the Yale Daily News
• Busing is Hurting Black Children ..., Washington Post.com
• Study: School districts 'resegregating' CNN Student News 2002
• How Desegregation Changed Us Columbia University News published 2004

Go to the Concept Development scaffold page to sharpen your ideas.

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