Ethnic Identification

Re “Make Room for the Changing Face of America,” Commentary, Nov. 19:

Rosemary Jenkins has left out some critical facts in making her plea for the Los Angeles Unified School District to adopt a new approach in identifying children from racially mixed marriages for admission to magnet schools.

Magnet schools are operated under legal requirements created by court order and state and federal regulations. They are designed to bring students of different races and ethnicities together for an integrated education.

As part of the application process, students are identified by their race or ethnicity so that schools can have integrated enrollments. The LAUSD does not impose racial or ethnic classifications on students; rather, parents and students select the most appropriate classification.

The LAUSD does not have unlimited discretion in defining the racial and ethnic classifications that are used for magnet applications. The district uses classifications that are defined by federal regulations covering magnet school grants and by state regulations covering the required annual racial and ethnic census.

Some people advocate narrower categories that more accurately describe their specific ethnic group, while others seek to disband all classifications. The LAUSD is not insensitive to these arguments. It is simply doing its best to follow the laws that govern the magnet school programs.

THEODORE T. ALEXANDER JR.

LAUSD Assistant Superintendent,

Student Integration Services

MICHAEL M. JOHNSON

Baker & Hostetler

LAUSD Special Legal Counsel