WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday on whether race-conscious assignments can be used to desegregate public schools.
The hearing involved districts in Seattle and Louisville, Ky., where a variety of factors are used to decide which schools children attend. In both districts most children go to the schools their parents choose.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Supreme Court building in Washington to support the districts. Colloneal Pinkston, a Detroit teacher, told The Washington Post that her district has the same problem.
"We are becoming more and more segregated in our schools by economics and race," she said.
Three years ago, the high court ruled 5-4 that the University of Michigan could use race as a factor in admissions to its law school. But Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was part of the majority in that case has retired.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, billed as replacing O'Connor as the court's swing vote, appeared in his questions to be siding with parents challenging the district's policy, The New York Times said.
