Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education
This page analyzes a single policy using structured scoring, historical evidence, source quality, and measurable outcomes.
Summary
The Supreme Court approved broad equitable remedies, including busing and redrawn attendance zones, to dismantle de jure school segregation.
How to Read This Record
Impact Reading
Very high documented impact
Evidence Base
Strong evidence from Government, Archive sources.
Data Completeness
Good record with 4 sources and 0 metrics.
Outcome Summary
The ruling gave federal courts stronger tools to implement desegregation in public schools where anti-Black segregation had been maintained by law and policy.
Categories
Impact Scores
This score is a structured measure of how directly and materially this policy affected Black communities, weighted by evidence, durability, and equity. Harm offset reduces the total score.
Total Impact Score
37
Directness
5
How explicitly the policy targeted or affected Black communities.
Material Impact
4
The practical real-world effect on conditions, rights, or outcomes.
Evidence
5
Strength of sourcing and historical support for the assessment.
Durability
4
How lasting the effects of the policy were over time.
Equity
5
Whether the policy advanced fairness, inclusion, or equal access.
Harm Offset
0
Any offsetting harms, limitations, exclusions, or contradictory effects that reduce the total.
Scoring Notes: Strong remedy case for school desegregation.
Metrics
No metrics added yet.
Suggested Relationships
These policies may be related based on shared categories, era, and proximity in time.
1978 • Court Case • Unknown party
Post Civil Rights Era • Mixed
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 7
2007 • Court Case • Unknown party
Post Civil Rights Era • Negative
Shared Categories: 3 • Year Distance: 36
1969 • Court Case • Unknown party
Post Civil Rights Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 2
1974 • Court Case • Unknown party
Post Civil Rights Era • Negative
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 3
1987 • Court Case • Unknown party
Post Civil Rights Era • Negative
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 16
1988 • Law • Unknown party
Post Civil Rights Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 17
2003 • Court Case • Unknown party
Post Civil Rights Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 32
1968 • Court Case • Unknown party
Civil Rights Era • Positive
Shared Categories: 2 • Year Distance: 3
Sources
Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education, 402 U.S. 1 (1971)
GovInfo / United States Reports • Government
Published: Apr 20, 1971
Primary decision text PDF
View sourceSwann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education
Supreme Court / Justia • Government
Opinion page for the 1971 decision approving broad federal court remedies, including busing, to dismantle segregated school systems.
View sourceTimeline of Events Leading to Brown v. Board of Education
National Archives • Archive
National Archives timeline showing Swann as a major post-Brown desegregation enforcement case.
View sourceBrown at 70: The Ongoing Struggle for School Desegregation
Brookings Institution • Nonprofit
Published: May 16, 2024
Brookings overview discussing the continuing relevance of Swann and later limits on desegregation.
View source