Attitudes toward Busing as a Means of Desegregation

Abstract

Attitudes toward enforced school busing were studied among Blacks, Caucasians, and Chicanos in Denver, Colorado, in relation to six factors. Significant associations were found between type of attitude expressed and race, children enrolled in school, membership in PTA, expectation toward the quality of education to be obtained by busing, and home ownership. The number of contacts with the schools by the adult respondents was not related to attitudes toward busing. Supporters of busing emphasized the provision of equal educational opportunities for all children and improved communication among ethnic groups while those opposed to busing emphasized the disruption of the neighborhood school concept as the bases for their attitudes. Issues related to the implementation of the plan were considered.