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Connecticut School Desegregation Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2002-0044

Scope and Content

The collection contains legal files, documents, reports, studies, correspondence, publications, conference proceedings, papers and similar materials pertaining to two lawsuits concerning the desegregation of Connecticut's public schools.

Series I contains materials related to Connecticut's Sheff v. O'Neill case, 1965-1994, and contains documents issued by state agencies, educational associations and the city of Hartford, as well as reports from academic institutions. Also included is a comprehensive, annotated bibliography of the documents compiled by David R. Gilmore. The exhibits have been arranged chronologically and assigned a file number, which is cross-referenced in the bibliography.

Series II is comprised of the Bridgeport School Desegregation Files (undated, 1972-1983). The series contains publications, papers and conference proceedings collected in connection with the desegregation of the Bridgeport public schools. Also included in the series are reference materials related to school desegregation cases in other American cities. The type of materials in the series are similar in nature to those in Series I and therefore have also been arranged chronologically by publication date.

Dates

  • Creation: 1965-1994

Access

The collection is open and available for research.

Restrictions on Use

Permission to publish from these Papers must be obtained in writing from both the University of Connecticut Libraries and the owner(s) of the copyright.

History

The issue of desegregation of Connecticut's schools became a legal one in 1975 and continues today. The collection provides an overview of regional and national concerns in the area of desegregation.

In 1989 Milo Sheff, a ten year old fourth grader from Hartford, CT, joined with seventeen other school children to file a lawsuit against the state of Connecticut, and Governor William O'Neill. Alledging that their constitutional rights to a public education and their rights to equal protection under the law were being violated, they called for the state to change its existing policy on educational equality. The case was originally argued in Hartford Superior Court, and was ruled in favor of the state and the governor. The judge ruled that school officials were not obligated to correct educational inequalities, no matter how they may have come to transpire. Following the finding by the Superior Court, the case was appealed to the Connecticut Supreme Court. In 1996 the superior court overruled the lower court's ruling, stating that the state did in fact have an obligation to provide Connecticut's school children with equal educational opportunities. It also ruled that children had a constitutional right to a public education, one that could not be altered based on ethnic or racial background.

The debate surrounding Bridgeport's public school desegregation began in the 1970s and continued throughout the 1980s. In November 1975 the NAACP, the Spanish American Coalition (SAC), a group of community organizations, and individual black and hispanic parents filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the Bridgeport Board of Education, and the Connecticut State Board of Education. In 1978 the Mayor, Comptroller, and Board of Appointment and Taxation were added as defendants. The lawsuit was filed because the plaintiffs believed the Board of Education had created a dual school system, discriminating against black and hispanic students.

Extent

3.55 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The Connecticut School Desegregation Collection consisits of materials related to the legal issues surrounding school desegregation in Hartford and Bridgeport, Connecticut. The collection provides an overview of the regional and national concerns in the area of desegregation, and two court cases that fought to bring an end to school segregation and discrimination.

Arrangement

Series I: Sheff v. O'Neill (1965-1994) contains documents issued by state agencies, educational associations and the city of Hartford, as well as reports from academic institutions. Also included is a comprehensive, annotated bibliography of the documents compiled by David R. Gilmore. The exhibits have been arranged chronologically and assigned a file number, which is cross-referenced in the bibliography.

Series II: Bridgeport School Desegregation Files (undated, 1972-1983) contains publications, papers and conference proceedings collected in connection with the desegregation of the Bridgeport public schools. The materials are similar in nature to those in Series I and therefore have also been arranged chronologically by publication date.

Acquisition Information

The Sheff v. O'Neill materials were donated in 1996, presumably by Mr. Tirozzi (no documentation). The Bridgeport materials were donated in 2001 by the law firm of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder.

Related Material

Archives & Special Collections has a substantial collection of materials pertaining to various aspects of Connecticut history. See especially the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union Records. For detailed information on these collections please ask at the Reading Room desk.

Title
Connecticut School Desegregation Collection
Status
Published
Author
Archives & Special Collections staff
Date
2012 June
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Archives and Special Collections, University of Connecticut Library Repository

Contact:
University of Connecticut Library
405 Babbidge Road Unit 1205
Storrs Connecticut 06269-1205 USA US
860-486-2524