Includes bibliographical references and index.

"A public school principal's account of the courageous leaders who have dismantled the tracking systems in their schools in order to desegregate classrooms and provide better learning experiences for all students. Since the beginning of the last century, the sorting of students into different "tracks" has resulted in segregated classrooms and unequal learning opportunities for students. This book traces the origins of tracking, from its beginnings in the early 20th century to today. As Burris takes readers through this history, she argues that tracking perpetuates de facto segregation within districts that were ordered by the courts to desegregate. Drawing on the latest research, Burris shows how tracking results in achievement gaps and racial and class stratification. Burris then chronicles the struggles of courageous school leaders, teachers and parents as they sought to overcome race, class and intellectual prejudice and dismantle the student sorting systems in their schools. Finally, she provides timely caution regarding how some of the present day reforms may result in further racial and socioeconomic segregation, undermining some of the progress that schools have made in creating more equitable learning experiences for children"--