THE CURIOUS CASE OF MISSOURI V. JENKINS - THE END OF THE ROAD FOR COURT-ORDERED DESEGREGATION

This article argues that Missouri v. Jenkins III (1995) reflects a tre nd toward relaxation in the assurance of equal educational opportuniti es. In that case, the Supreme Court (a) reversed a federal trial court order allowing salary increases for school personnel and quality educ ation programs in the Kansas City school district, and (b) reasoned th at asking whether student achievement levels were at or below national norms was inappropriate to determine whether the district had achieve d unitary status. A detailed discussion of the justices' opinions in J enkins III is presented, with reflections on the implications of the c ase for future school desegregation efforts.