Hobson V Hansen Essay Example

judge also pointed out that environmental influence and the innate abilities of the students were not considered (Watson & Skinner, 2004). He said that the tracking system was racially biased as majority of those in lower level tracks were black students and he ruled that this violated the equal protection clause. He also pointed out that the tracking system stigmatized black children and that the students did not move to higher tracks (Watson & Skinner, 2004).

Following this, the judge banned use of tracking system in the school district. However, following appeals, other types of ability grouping were allowed but the court still prohibited use of tests that were racially discriminatory (Watson & Skinner, 2004). The ruling on this case impacted education greatly. During the ruling, the judge authorized that there be equity in funding of blacks in schools. He directed that the per-pupil expenditure in schools dominated by blacks be comparable to that of schools dominated by whites (Jones-Wilson, 1996).

And to ensure that the defendants complied, the judge ordered the defendants to file annual reports on per-pupil expenditure (Jones-Wilson, 1996). The ruling also impacted education system in that it led to formation of an elected DC board of education which is operational to date and whose members are still elected (Jones-Wilson, 1996). The judge also abolished optional zones and directed that an assignment plan be developed for the pupils (Jones-Wilson, 1996). The ruling on this case impacted the job of school psychologists as they were required to develop new criteria to determine placement of students.

Judge Wright had recommended employment of tests that measured the innate ability of students. This

ruling made use of aptitude testing as the basis for placement less important (Watson & Skinner, 2004). The psychologists were now supposed to be careful about the tests they designed and administered as the tests were not supposed to be racially discriminative. No doubt that this case really impacted education system in the U. S. by stopping discrimination of African American students based on their racial and economic background.