Employment Discrimination in K-12 Schools

The case to be reviewed is Samuel Brewer vs. Muscle Shoals Board of Education (11th Cir. 1986). In this case, Brewer, a mathematics teacher at the school sued the school board for violating a predetermination settlement agreement. In his suit, he claimed that he was qualified for the position but was disqualified because of his skin color. The Court of Appeal upheld that the management had breached the pre-determination settlement that mandated him to be appointed to the position he was qualified for (Coleman, Darity Jr, Sharpe, 2008). The court stated that the board of Shoals had entered into a binding contract with Brewer through the pre-determination settlement agreement and therefore the contract was breached.  The case was evidence of an indication of substantial racial disparity within the precincts of the school. The discrimination incident proved that racial prejudice was still prevalent in the US. Based on the decision made by the Court of Appeal in Brewer’s case; it is an indication that racial discrimination is a practice that should be eradicated to produce equal working opportunities environment. The management of any K-12 schools plays a vital role in ensuring that it upholds the federal anti-discrimination legislation. Discriminatory treatment in K-12 schools in America is usually because of racial disparities that make qualified individuals be segregated due to presumptions of black inferiority.  Failure by the school board to adhere strictly to the hiring procedures by intentionally segregating Brewer is a classic case of employment discrimination. From the case, I have learned that each employee is entitled to equal opportunities regardless of their skin differences. Employment discrimination should be avoided at all costs to ensure that qualified people are recruited for the right positions (Berry & Bell, 2012). All schools should have comprehensive policies that stipulate how promotions and employment of staff should be under taken. 

References

Berry, D., & Bell, M. P. (2012). Inequality in organizations: stereotyping, discrimination, and labor law exclusions. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: An International Journal, 31(3), 236-248. Coleman, M. G., Darity, Jr., W. A., & Sharpe, R. V. (2008). Are reports of discrimination valid? Considering the moral hazard effect. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 67(2), 149-175.