US education secretary touts school diversity efforts

HARTFORD, Conn. – U.S. Education Secretary John King Jr. is touting a network of magnet schools as one model for achieving the kind of diversity he has been pushing for as American schools have been growing more racially segregated.

King spoke Wednesday at Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy, one of the Connecticut schools that enrol city and suburban students under a court-ordered desegregation agreement. He said it is an example of a community standing up for diversity that produces better outcomes for all students.

King has stressed the importance of diversity since taking office earlier this year.

A bill pending in Congress would provide $120 million to support local efforts including creating public school choice zones, expanding bussing service and developing programs to attract students from outside local areas.