The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) is the nation’s longest-running voluntary school desegregation program. Established in 1966, METCO facilitates the busing of students of color from Boston and Springfield to public schools in surrounding suburban communities, aiming to eliminate racial imbalance and promote diversity in education. ?

Key Points about METCO:

• Inception and Funding: METCO began in 1966, initially funded by grants from the Carnegie Corporation and the U.S. Office of Education. In 1968, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts assumed financial responsibility, providing annual grants to support the program. ?

• Mission: The program’s mission is to expand educational opportunities, increase diversity, and reduce racial isolation by enabling students from Boston and Springfield to attend public schools in participating suburban districts. ?

• Participation: As of recent data, approximately 3,300 students are enrolled in METCO across 33 school districts in the Boston metropolitan area and four districts outside Springfield. ?

• Impact: METCO has provided thousands of students with access to quality education and has fostered multicultural understanding among students from diverse backgrounds. ?

The program stands as a testament to the ongoing efforts to achieve educational equity and racial integration in American schools.