Final answer:
In Boston, court-ordered busing for school desegregation led to significant public opposition and social conflict, exemplifying the national struggle with educational reform and civil rights post-Brown v. Board of Education.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a judge ordered the desegregation of schools in Boston through busing, it led to significant social upheaval and resistance, particularly from white communities. This busing initiative was a response to white flight, which had left inner-city schools predominantly with minority students and less funded compared to suburban schools. The busing policies were designed to correct these imbalances by transporting white students to inner-city schools and minority students to suburban schools, thereby achieving racial balance and equal educational opportunities. However, this forced desegregation effort was met with considerable public opposition from both white and minority communities, resulting in protests, and in some cases, violence and social disruption.
The controversy around busing in Boston reflected a nationwide struggle with desegregation following the Brown v. Board of Education decision, showing the difficulties in implementing court-ordered educational reforms. The practice of busing, often reluctantly accepted or actively opposed by parents, played a crucial role in the history of education and civil rights, highlighting the complexities of racial integration in American schools.