The Black Room

Abstract

A simple parent request unveiled a startling revelation: The principal of Bridgforth Elementary School segregated students by race. Her attempt to establish a culturally responsive framework was met with an Office of Civil Rights (OCR) complaint of racial discrimination. This case will examine the principal’s rationale for creating the framework, the parental complaint, the school community response, and two evidence-based options for increasing student outcomes for African American students and other ethnic minorities.