Charles B. Booker, Petitioners-Appellants v. Board of Education of the City of Plainfield, Union County…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the State Board of Education's affirmation of the Commissioner’s approval of the Plainfield Sixth Grade Plan and remanded the case for the Commissioner to re‑evaluate the adequacy of remedial measures for racial imbalance. The Court held that the Commissioner erred by limiting his review to schools that were "completely or almost entirely Negro" and must consider broader standards of educational detriment. A concurrence/dissent by Justice Hall agreed on remand but disagreed with the majority’s reasoning and the reversal.