Desegregation Indicators Overview
The Desegregation Indicators Overview
After Brown v. Board of Education, courts used a set of broad measures, later known as the Green Factors, to judge whether school boards were making real progress in desegregation. Today, these factors, often called "desegregation indicators", serve as benchmarks for determining whether a district has achieved "unitary status" by eliminating the vestiges of segregation.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty and Staff examines whether the recruitment, hiring, assignment, retention, and promotion of teachers and staff are carried out in ways that support diversity and ensure equal representation across schools. This also includes providing relevant support and professional development opportunities for all faculty and staff.
Student Assignment
Student Assignment looks at how students are placed in schools to confirm that assignment practices promote racial balance and equal access to educational opportunities, including gifted, honors, advanced, special education, and English learner services. It focuses on whether student representation in these areas aligns with school and district enrollment patterns.
Facilities
Facilities involves the quality, condition, and distribution of school buildings and resources to ensure all students learn in safe, well-maintained, and comparable environments regardless of school demographics.
Transportation
Transportation that supports desgregation effors ensures all students have fair access to school, regardless of where they live. This involves evaluatig bus routes, ride times, and access to ensure that transportation services are equitable and do not create or reinforce racial segregation among schools.
Extracurricular Activities
Extracurriculars involve student participation in athletics, clubs, and other enrichment activities to ensure all students have fair access and representation across programs and opportunities.
State Resources
Alabama
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Louisiana
Mississippi
North Carolina
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Washington DC
Miles to Go
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Faculty and Staff: Composition, Recruitment, and Retention

Faculty diversity and representation are essential to equitable education. This factor provides resources to help educators create inclusive learning environments, recruit and support diverse teaching staff, and address disparities in student assignments and discipline. Whether improving course assignments, attracting diverse talent, or strengthening professional development, this page offers tools to advance equity and excellence.

Pathways to Unitary Status: Faculty and Staff Equity in Action

Additional Resources

Addressing Teacher Attrition and Building a Roadmap for Retention

Guidance and strategies to help districts strengthen teacher pipelines, reduce turnover, and create sustainable retention plans.

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Tools for Best Practices in Faculty Recruitment & Retention

A practical guide offering policy strategies, templates, and evidence-based recommendations to support recruitment, preparation, licensure, and retention of teachers and school leaders.

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The Real Teacher Shortages and How to Solve them

Analyzes the root causes of teacher shortages, including subject and geographic gaps, and offers policy solutions focused on preparation, working conditions, and retention strategies.

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2023 Voice of the Superintendent

Summarizes insights from district leaders nationwide on teacher recruitment, retention, and workforce challenges, highlighting policy priorities and solutions from a superintendent's perspective.

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EAC Resource: Desegregation Reflection Guide – Faculty & Staff

A self-assessment tool to help districts evaluate staffing practices in relation to desegregation goals, including questions on recruitment, assignment, support, and professional development. Designed to support progress toward unitary status.

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Improving Teacher Retention Through Positive School Environments

Explores how supportive leadership, collaboration, and workplace culture contribute to stronger teacher retention and school stability.

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Teacher and Principal Policy Toolkit

A comprehensive collection of state policy strategies, model legislation, and research-informed practices aimed at improving the recruitment, preparation, licensure, and retention of teachers and school leaders.

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The Art of Listening: Building a Culture of Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Provides tools and practices for fostering open communication and feedback among educators to enhance professional growth and organizational trust.

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Success Stories

Wake County Public Schools (NC)

Wake County has long led in socioeconomic integration, using data driven strategies such as early vacancy postings, analytic hiring platforms, and competitive compensation to diversify its teacher workforce. State level mentorship and retention efforts through North Carolina’s DRIVE Task Force further strengthen these initiatives.

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Faculty and Staff: Composition, Recruitment, and Retention

Pathways to Unitary Status: Faculty and Staff Equity in Action

PD, Climate and Culture, Data and Feedback

Teacher Recruitment and Retention, PD, Compensation

Data and Feedback, Climate and Culture

Compensation, Teacher Recruitment and Retention

Teacher Recruitment and Retention, PD, School Climate and Culture

Teacher Recruitment and Retention, PD, Climate and Culture

Language Education, PD, Teaching/Learning

School Discipline, Climate and Culture

PD, Climate and Culture