Who were the stakeholders in the Desegregation of Boston Public Schools?
Making Connections
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
Stakeholders are people who are impacted or impact something that is important to them. During the desegregation of the Boston Public Schools, there were many people who felt that they should have a say, or did have a say in the public education of the children in this community. In the early 1970s, many people fought for, and against, desegregation in Boston. Who do you think the stakeholders might be during this crisis? Why?Name:
Class:
Class:
Worksheet
Who were the stakeholders in the Desegregation of Boston Public Schools?
Making Connections
Examine the documents and text included in this activity. Fill in any blanks in the sequence with your thoughts and write your conclusion response in the space provided.City Council President Gerald F. O'Leary's Cover Letter and Response to the December 16th Plan Submitted by the Education Planning Center
Letter from the Massachusetts Black Caucus to Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr.
State Defendants' Brief on Neighborhood Schools
Report from the Massachusetts Chinese Education Committee to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Letter from Kevin Moloney, Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston, to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Letter from Mrs. Sumner Bernstein to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Leary Regarding her Daughter's Experience at Boston English
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
A Statement of Policy by Grand Rabbi Levi I. Horowitz
Letter of Parents of the Bancroft Rice School to Judge Arthur Garrity Responding to Phase II of the School Desegregation Plan
Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School
1
Activity Element
City Council President Gerald F. O'Leary's Cover Letter and Response to the December 16th Plan Submitted by the Education Planning Center
Page 1
2
Activity Element
Letter from the Massachusetts Black Caucus to Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr.
Page 1
3
Activity Element
State Defendants' Brief on Neighborhood Schools
Page 1
4
Activity Element
Report from the Massachusetts Chinese Education Committee to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Page 2
5
Activity Element
Letter from Kevin Moloney, Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston, to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Page 1
6
Activity Element
Letter from Mrs. Sumner Bernstein to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Leary Regarding her Daughter's Experience at Boston English
Page 1
7
Activity Element
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 1
8
Activity Element
A Statement of Policy by Grand Rabbi Levi I. Horowitz
Page 1
9
Activity Element
Letter of Parents of the Bancroft Rice School to Judge Arthur Garrity Responding to Phase II of the School Desegregation Plan
Page 1
10
Activity Element
Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School
Page 1
Conclusion
Who were the stakeholders in the Desegregation of Boston Public Schools?
Making Connections
Identify, Analyze, and Predict... Who is a stakeholder? Utilize the primary sources to identify some of the stakeholders. Analyze the motives of each of the stakeholders. Predict what role you think each stakeholder might play in desegregation.Your Response
Document
City Council President Gerald F. O'Leary's Cover Letter and Response to the December 16th Plan Submitted by the Education Planning Center
1/21/1975
This document comes from the court case Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools. This document was digitized by teachers in our Primarily Teaching 2014 Summer Workshop in Boston.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 12161216
Full Citation: City Council President Gerald F. O'Leary's Cover Letter and Response to the December 16th Plan Submitted by the Education Planning Center; 1/21/1975; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at Boston (RE-BO), Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/city-council-president-gerald-f-olearys-cover-letter-submitted, April 25, 2024]City Council President Gerald F. O'Leary's Cover Letter and Response to the December 16th Plan Submitted by the Education Planning Center
Page 1
City Council President Gerald F. O'Leary's Cover Letter and Response to the December 16th Plan Submitted by the Education Planning Center
Page 2
City Council President Gerald F. O'Leary's Cover Letter and Response to the December 16th Plan Submitted by the Education Planning Center
Page 3
Document
Letter from the Massachusetts Black Caucus to Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr.
10/8/1974
This document consists of a letter from the Massachusetts Black Caucus of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives to Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr., requesting that he issue orders regarding federal troops, contempt citations against public officials and private citizens, and adding the names of the Boston City Councillors as defendants, in the civil action case of Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., also known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 4713898
Full Citation: Letter from the Massachusetts Black Caucus to Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr.; 10/8/1974; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at Boston, Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-from-the-massachusetts-black-caucus-to-judge-w-arthur-garrity-jr, April 25, 2024]Letter from the Massachusetts Black Caucus to Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr.
Page 1
Letter from the Massachusetts Black Caucus to Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr.
Page 2
Document
State Defendants' Brief on Neighborhood Schools
4/6/1973
This brief from the defendants agrees with the plaintiff's contentions regarding the neighborhood school system defense. It comes from the court case Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools. This document was digitized by teachers in our Primarily Teaching 2014 Summer Workshop in Boston.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 12161240
Full Citation: State Defendants' Brief on Neighborhood Schools; 4/6/1973; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of District Courts of the United States, . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/state-defendants-brief-neighborhood-schools, April 25, 2024]State Defendants' Brief on Neighborhood Schools
Page 1
State Defendants' Brief on Neighborhood Schools
Page 2
State Defendants' Brief on Neighborhood Schools
Page 3
State Defendants' Brief on Neighborhood Schools
Page 4
State Defendants' Brief on Neighborhood Schools
Page 5
Document
Report from the Massachusetts Chinese Education Committee to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
1/18/1975
This report from the Massachusetts Chinese Education Committee offers comments and recommendations on how desegregation will affect Asian-American students and teachers. It comes from the court case Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools. This document was digitized by teachers in our Primarily Teaching 2014 Summer Workshop in Boston.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 12161251
Full Citation: Report from the Massachusetts Chinese Education Committee to Judge W. Arthur Garrity; 1/18/1975; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at Boston, Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/report-massachusetts-chinese-education-committee, April 25, 2024]Report from the Massachusetts Chinese Education Committee to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Page 1
Report from the Massachusetts Chinese Education Committee to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Page 2
Report from the Massachusetts Chinese Education Committee to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Page 3
Report from the Massachusetts Chinese Education Committee to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Page 4
Document
Letter from Kevin Moloney, Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston, to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
1/22/1975
This cover letter from the Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston discusses police manpower levels and refers to recommendations made by city officials John Kehoe and Laurence Carpenter. It comes from the court case Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools. This document was digitized by teachers in our Primarily Teaching 2014 Summer Workshop in Boston.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 12161214
Full Citation: Letter from Kevin Moloney, Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston, to Judge W. Arthur Garrity; 1/22/1975; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at Boston, Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-kevin-moloney, April 25, 2024]Letter from Kevin Moloney, Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston, to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Page 1
Letter from Kevin Moloney, Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Boston, to Judge W. Arthur Garrity
Page 2
Document
Letter from Mrs. Sumner Bernstein to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Leary Regarding her Daughter's Experience at Boston English
10/22/1974
This letter comes from the court case Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools. This document was digitized by teachers in our Primarily Teaching 2014 Summer Workshop in Boston.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 12161237
Full Citation: Letter from Mrs. Sumner Bernstein to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Leary Regarding her Daughter's Experience at Boston English; 10/22/1974; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at Boston, Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-boston-public-schools-superintendent-leary, April 25, 2024]Letter from Mrs. Sumner Bernstein to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Leary Regarding her Daughter's Experience at Boston English
Page 1
Letter from Mrs. Sumner Bernstein to Boston Public Schools Superintendent Leary Regarding her Daughter's Experience at Boston English
Page 2
Document
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
1/23/1975
This complaint from the Comite de Padres pro Defensa de la Education Bilingue seeks to provide relief to Hispanic children during the Boston schools desegregation crisis. It comes from the court case Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools. This document was digitized by teachers in our Primarily Teaching 2014 Summer Workshop in Boston.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 12161209
Full Citation: Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue; 1/23/1975; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at Boston (RE-BO), Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/complaint-in-intervention-from-el-comite-de-padres-pro-defensa-de-la-education-bilingue, April 25, 2024]Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 1
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 2
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 3
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 4
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 5
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 6
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 7
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 8
Complaint in Intervention from El Comite De Padres Pro Defensa De La Education Bilingue
Page 9
Document
A Statement of Policy by Grand Rabbi Levi I. Horowitz
12/13/1974
This policy statement by Grand Rabbi Levi Horowitz comments upon measures implemented by the court during the Boston schools desegregation crisis. It comes from the court case Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools. This document was digitized by teachers in our Primarily Teaching 2014 Summer Workshop in Boston.
This primary source comes from the Records of the District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 12161257
Full Citation: A Statement of Policy by Grand Rabbi Levi I. Horowitz; 12/13/1974; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of the District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at Boston, Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/statement-policy-grand-rabbi-horowitz, April 25, 2024]A Statement of Policy by Grand Rabbi Levi I. Horowitz
Page 1
Document
Letter of Parents of the Bancroft Rice School to Judge Arthur Garrity Responding to Phase II of the School Desegregation Plan
1/20/1975
This document comes from the court case Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools. This document was digitized by teachers in our Primarily Teaching 2014 Summer Workshop in Boston.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 12161217
Full Citation: Letter of Parents of the Bancroft Rice School to Judge Arthur Garrity Responding to Phase II of the School Desegregation Plan; 1/20/1975; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at Boston, Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-responding-phase-ii-school-desegregation-plan, April 25, 2024]Letter of Parents of the Bancroft Rice School to Judge Arthur Garrity Responding to Phase II of the School Desegregation Plan
Page 1
Letter of Parents of the Bancroft Rice School to Judge Arthur Garrity Responding to Phase II of the School Desegregation Plan
Page 2
Letter of Parents of the Bancroft Rice School to Judge Arthur Garrity Responding to Phase II of the School Desegregation Plan
Page 3
Document
Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School
9/6/1974
This letter and summary report from Attorney John F. McMahon requests an in-chambers conference with Judge W. Arthur Garrity. It comes from the court case Tallulah Morgan et al. v. James W. Hennigan et al., known as the Boston Schools Desegregation Case. In 1972, parents of African American children brought a class action lawsuit alleging that the Boston School Committee violated the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution by a deliberate policy of racial segregation. Judge W. Arthur Garrity, Jr. found that the Boston School Committee had intentionally carried out a program of segregation in the Boston Public Schools. The ruling, upheld unanimously by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, ordered the Boston School Committee to formulate a permanent school desegregation plan that addressed student assignment, teacher employment, and facility improvement procedures, as well as the use of busing on a citywide basis. The Boston School Committee failed to present an adequate plan, so the court assumed an active role in the formulation of the desegregation plan and oversaw implementation of court-ordered desegregation in the Boston public schools. This document was digitized by teachers in our Primarily Teaching 2014 Summer Workshop in Boston.
This primary source comes from the Records of the District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier: 12161243
Full Citation: Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School; 9/6/1974; Tallulah Morgan et al v. James W. Hennigan et al Case File, 1972 - 1991; Civil Action Case Files, 1938 - 1998; Records of the District Courts of the United States, ; National Archives at Boston (RE-BO), Waltham, MA. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-summary-report-intimidation-teachers-desegregation, April 25, 2024]Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School
Page 1
Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School
Page 2
Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School
Page 3
Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School
Page 4
Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School
Page 5
Letter and Summary Report of Incidents of Intimidation of Teachers during the Desegregation of South Boston High School and the Abrahams School
Page 6
