School Segregation and Educational Equity. Institutionalization of School Segregation Monitoring, a Sine Qua Non Prerequisite for Policies to Promote Educational Equity

Abstract

The article presents a public education policy tool as a model with international applicability designed for monitoring, analysing and assessing school segregation phenomenon. This instrument, developed by a UNICEF team that continued the pioneering efforts of a Romanian NGO (Advocay and Human Rights Center ), has special importance for educational equity and social welfare. The paper argues that the widespread adoption of this tool in the institutionalization of education systems is a necessary prerequisite for equalizing educational opportunities. A systematic, administrative use of such an instrument sets the premises for an adequate assessment of school segregation level, defined in accordance with the most relevant criteria and the various forms thereof. Moreover, due to such an instrument, public intervention means for systemic school desegregation can also be put forward. Conclusions of the paper argue about certain conditions, precautionary measures and risks associated with the process of implementing and using such a model.