White flight from urban schools, 1990–2000: The case of Huntsville -Madison County, Alabama
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine specific problems associated with white flight and reveal solutions that may solve some of the problems. The following urban school problems attributed to white flight were addressed in this study: desegregation, busing and student performance. The study attempted to ascertain views of building administrators for Huntsville City Schools, Madison City Schools and Madison County Schools concerning enrollment decline in Huntsville City Schools. The study design used the methodology of survey research within the category of descriptive research for gathering evidence concerning white flight from Huntsville City Schools. Six factors that could influence students' exodus from Huntsville City Schools were considered, these factors legal precedence and court mandates, school safety, busing, parental preference, availability of housing, and perceived fear of racial and perceived fear of racial anxieties. This study indicated that white flight was an issue now faced by Huntsville City Schools. The study showed that the student population was continuing to decline for various reasons. White students have been exiting Huntsville City Schools since the early 1980s when court ordered busing was implemented to achieve a more diverse student population in selected schools. White flight does exist in Huntsville City Schools. The white population began its exodus during the decade of the 80s. Court ordered busing was forced upon the city of Huntsville, and the community rebelled. Enrollment has increased to a great degree in Madison City Schools and Madison County Schools. This in part was due to the decline of Huntsville City Schools.
Subject Area
School administration
Recommended Citation
John W Humphrey,
"White flight from urban schools, 1990–2000: The case of Huntsville -Madison County, Alabama"
(2003).
ETD Collection for Tennessee State University.
Paper AAI3107458.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI3107458