Introducing the Southern Opportunity Atlas: Advancing Opportunity and Access Across the South

Across the South, many schools remain under active federal desegregation orders. In fact, 128 school districts remain under federal desegregation orders, with 128 of them located in the South. Although many people believe school desegregation was resolved decades ago, the reality is that segregation remains a present-day challenge in communities across the country.

To bring clarity, context, and actionable guidance to this issue, the Southern Center for Opportunity and Access (SCOA) is proud to launch the Southern Opportunity Atlas Website, a powerful new hub for educators, policymakers, and advocates working to expand opportunity and achieve compliance with desegregation mandates.

SCOA is operated by the Southern Education Foundation (SEF). Aligned with SEF’s mission to expand educational opportunity for all students, SCOA is committed to advancing transparency, accountability, and opportunity in education. The Southern Opportunity Atlas reflects that commitment, offering curated resources rooted in history, law, and lived experience to help stakeholders better understand the ongoing work of desegregation and make informed, student-centered decisions.

The Southern Opportunity Atlas was designed to support school systems working toward unitary status and to inform communities, state leaders, and other stakeholders about the five core desegregation indicators used by federal courts to assess compliance and evaluate progress— Student Assignment, Faculty and Staff, Facilities, Transportation, and Extracurricular Activities.

As federal oversight fades and education policy becomes more decentralized, districts and communities need trusted, user-friendly tools that help them understand what desegregation orders are, where they are still active, what unitary status entails, and how progress is measured and sustained.

This resource includes information for Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Through the site, users can:

  • Dive deep into state-specific desegregation data
  • Explore how court oversight and compliance vary across the region
  • Access resources to guide inclusive practices and meet legal requirements
  • Learn from districts that have made tangible progress toward integration

Each state profile provides historical timelines and legal summaries, visualization data on student demographics and court oversight, downloadable tools for school and district leaders, and featured success stories from districts making measurable progress.

Ultimately, the Southern Opportunity Atlas exists to make this work clear, accessible, and actionable, helping school leaders and advocates not only understand the path to desegregation but also walk it with confidence.

Visit the site, share it widely, and use it to help build a future where every student, regardless of background, enjoys an education that propels them toward the opportunity-rich life they deserve.