It has been 50 years since the Morgan v. Hennigan decision and the subsequent order issued by U. S. District Court Judge W. Arthur Garrity mandating the desegregation of the Boston Public Schools. Now is an appropriate time for reflection on this momentous decision and its impact on Boston. This seminar will focus on the history of public education in Boston, the history of the School Committee, the impact and reactions to various court decisions, and the status of the Boston school system today, all with particular attention to the various personalities involved. It will also consider the various resources and memoirs now available on this charged topic. Lawrence S. DiCara is one of the few remaining actors in this story. In addition to writing a memoir focusing on this era, Turmoil and Transition in Boston, he has lectured on the topic for over thirty years. DiCara brings a deep and personal understanding to the history of our city’s schools. He graduated from the Boston Public Schools, as did his parents and his siblings, and his mother was a Boston school teacher for 34 years. Since leaving public office and embarking upon a career as a lawyer and activist, DiCara has studied these issues as a member of the board of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau. Class participants will have plenty to absorb during the five sessions. Each class will feature prepared remarks followed by a lively class discussion.