Choice is the key on the question of school integration. In the 1970s, there was forced integration and that did not work for anyone. Having a diverse socioeconomic student population has its merits; it gives students exposure to how others experience life. On the other hand, students of different socioeconomic backgrounds have very different needs. 

If most of your student population is low-income, with parents working two jobs just to make ends meet, then you need to address having before- and after-school opportunities for enrichment and homework help, and simply a safe space for these children to be because child care is so expensive. They may need more support from social workers and if they are ESL students, extra help in learning English. 

Now on the flip side, in schools with students of generally higher socioeconomic status, you may not need to have extended days, etc., because the parents have more disposable income. All parents on both sides just want what is best for their children. So again, I think choice is the key.

Lori Caiazzo Coughlin, Westchester

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