Education Policy and School Segregation: A Study of the Denver Metropolitan Region (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION It is a popular belief in today's America that there are equal opportunities for educational attainment. It is, at the very least, assumed that the fundamental structure of our public education system provides a level playing field for all children, regardless of gender, race, or religion. However, beginning in the 1950s, racial segregation of metropolitan areas became more common as increasing numbers of white families began moving from inner-city urban areas to suburban areas. For white families, the decision to relocate has been based on a combination of push and pull factors. The pull factors include the attractiveness and amenities of the suburbs (less congestion, more green space, etc..) and perception of higher quality schools. The push factors include inner-city crime, racism and declining property values.