312. Busing

I have been looking at middle schools for my daughter and the more schools I look at the more I reflect on my own experience. In the mid 1970's in Los Angeles while LAUSD was already floundering with the teaching method of whole language the administration made another fabulous decision - busing. Busing was an attempt to integrate the mostly caucasian schools of the San Fernando Valley with the more racially diverse schools of the city. So at the age of 9 years old I had to catch a 6:45 am bus and ride it for an hour and a half to Sheridan Street School in Boil Heights. At the end of the day, I had to ride it home. Three hours on the bus a day in order to some how better integrate our schools. Most of my time at Sheridan was great. I learned to play the cello in orchestra. Because Sheridan was a Title I school they had amazing music facilities beyond those at my home school in Encino. My teacher, Mrs. Spohr, played the guitar and sang us almost every lesson. She loved fine arts as well and I didn't mind riding the bus in order to be in her class. It wasn't all roses - there was major racial tension. There was one girl that had it out for me - may be it was my gringa appearance. She stuck a wad of gum in my hair and later a knife in my back at recess. I lived in fear of her for most of the year.

Busing was eventually deemed a total disaster. LAUSD has allowed those that want to come to the valley Permits With Transfer and those who chose to try another school integration through Magnet Schools. Since the 1970s the SFV is amazingly diverse and integration is no longer necessary. But the district is still paying to transport a lot of kids all over the city. I think given these rough budget times this out dated approach should be reconsidered.