Honors Program Theses

Award/Availability

Open Access Honors Program Thesis

First Advisor

Jayme Renfro

Abstract

This study examines the lasting impact that redlining, a discriminatory housing practice from the 1930s, has on educational inequalities in the Cedar Rapids Community School District today. Using historical Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC) maps, it analyzes how neighborhoods located within previously “high risk” (“D” or red zones) neighborhoods correlate with present day disparities in regards to racial composition, socioeconomic status, low-income, and high school graduation rates. The research further investigates how white flight and urban disinvestment intensified racial and economic inequalities in these areas. Limitations of HOLC maps as the only measure of redlining emphasize the need for policy interventions to promote educational equity are also discussed. Findings reveal that students from historically redlined areas, particularly Black, Hispanic, and other marginalized groups, graduate at lower rates than their peers. These disparities contribute to ongoing cycles of economic instability, limited access to higher education, and reduced job opportunities, all of which reinforce systemic inequalities that persist across generations. By offering insight into addressing the long-lasting effects of historical discrimination, this research contributes to conversations regarding educational reform, spatial justice, and the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities within particular areas across Cedar Rapids (Burke & Schwalback, 2021; Rothstein, 2018).

Year of Submission

2025

Department

Department of Political Science

University Honors Designation

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the designation University Honors

Date Original

2025

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

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