Final answer:
While busing has been a historically utilized method for desegregating schools, it has faced significant criticism for superficial impacts on interracial relations and inconveniences posed to families. Alternatives that focus on equity in school resources and voluntary school choice may be more beneficial and less divisive.
Step-by-step explanation:
Busing as a method of desegregating schools by transporting children to achieve a racial balance has both proponents and critics. Supporters argue that busing is the most practical non-intrusive solution to counter racial segregation in schools when neighboring demographics are imbalanced. It has been shown to foster interracial connections among students and parents, potentially leading to more integrated communities. However, many such friendships were superficial, and the inconvenience to students and parents cannot be discounted. The strain it caused by disconnecting schools from their local communities and the imposition on students' routines often sparked significant opposition.
Alternatives to busing could include methods that focus on improving school quality and resource allocation, ensuring equity across all schools regardless of neighborhood demography. This might involve investment in local schools to elevate them to a competitive level, attracting a diverse student body naturally. Other suggestions include promoting open enrollment policies that allow for voluntary rather than mandatory transfers, magnet programs, and targeted initiatives like the Head Start program that works to close educational disparities early on.