Just over 20 years ago, on July 9, 1996, the state Supreme Court found that the school systems in Hartford and surrounding suburbs were unconstitutionally segregated. And although much progress has been made, the state has a long way to go.

Implementing a satisfactory plan to desegregate Hartford's schools has been a significant and expensive challenge for the state since the landmark Sheff v. O'Neill lawsuit was settled in 2003. More than a decade and $2 billion later, nearly half of Hartford's 21,000 students have access to schools where at least 25 percent of the student body is non-minority.

But thousands of students are still seeking more integrated classrooms, and the glacial pace is frustrating.

In a court hearing on the progress of the settlement last month, Martha Stone, an attorney for the plaintiffs, put it best:

"There is going to have to be an increase in the amount of courage, vision and leadership that is shown by all the parties," she said. "The glass is still half-empty. And the promise to thousands of children in Hartford is still very elusive. So we're going to have to step it up, and we're going to have to do some things differently."

Part of the burden rests on suburban school districts, which have been slow to offer seats to city youths through the Open Choice program.

Connecticut's U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy unveiled a bill earlier this week that would give school districts across the nation access to $120 million in grants to encourage desegregation.

It's a shame that more suburban districts aren't participating as they could. Integrated schools are a benefit to everyone, urban and suburban alike. Perhaps some federal funding from Mr. Murphy's bill would inspire creative solutions.