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BACKGROUND
In 2006, Nebraska was divided over a bill that called for dividing the Omaha public schools into three racially identifiable districts. Numerous civil rights scholars and advocates have called the legislation a blatant effort to create segregated school systems. The bill and the ensuing debate has defined the discussion on school integration in Nebraska, and its impacts can still be felt to this day. Recently however, the Omaha Public Schools board has decided to push for a renewed effort to institute busing on a wider scale then in the past. While this proposition won’t come into effect until 2017, it could create renewed opportunities for school choice.
MEDIA
- Omaha, NE – OPS approves 2017 busing changes for elementary, middle schools (Omaha.com/news, June 29, 2015)
- Omaha, NE – Segregation Nation: Omaha’s radical attempt at school integration shows how beneficial diversity can be – and how hard it can be to sustain. (The American Prospect, June 9, 2011)
- Nebraska – Lawmakers approve bill to revamp Learning Community, end controversial common levy (Omaha.com/news, April 15, 2016)
- Omaha, NE – Law to Segregate Omaha Schools Divides Nebraska (The New York Times, April 15, 2006)
- Omaha, NE – Omaha Schools Split Along Ethnic Lines (The Washington Post, April 14, 2006)
ADVOCACY
- Lincoln Journal Star – Local View: Charter schools are wrong for Nebraska (February 9, 2016)
- (Response) Lincoln Journal Star – Local View: Give Charter schools a chance (February 17, 2016)
- Omaha, NE – ‘Learning Community’ Nebraska Program Brings Diversity to Some Highly Segregated Public Schools (The Huffington Post, March 30, 2013)
- Douglas and Sarpy Counties, NE – Districts propose Learning Community overhaul (Bellevue Leader, November 14, 2014)
OTHER RESOURCES
- Omaha, NE – Omaha Public Schools: Issues and Implications of Nebraska Legislative Bill 1024 (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 2008)
- Nebraska – Educational Achievement and the Successful Integration of Latinos in Nebraska: A Statistical Profile to Inform Policies and Innovate Programs (Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) University of Nebraska at Omaha, 2005)
ACTIVE NSCD MEMBERS
- None
RESEARCH ADVISORY PANEL MEMBERS
- None