A court decision on school desegregation in December 1870 was acknowledged by organizers on both sides of the issue to be a decisive one .
Integration of New Orleans 's public schools began in earnest in 1870 .
A court decision on school desegregation in December 1870 was acknowledged by organizers on both sides of the issue to be a decisive one , and integration of New Orleans 's public schools began in earnest in 1870 .