how racially diverse schools and classrooms can benefit all students

We know that diverse classrooms, in which students learn cooperatively alongside those whose perspectives and backgrounds are different from their own, are beneficial to all students —including middle-class white students—because these environments promote creativity, motivation, deeper learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. 10

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What are the benefits of racially diverse high schools?

According to one study, students who attend racially diverse high schools are more likely to live in diverse neighborhoods five years after graduation. 12 Integrated classrooms can improve students’ satisfaction and intellectual self-confidence.

Why do we need diverse classrooms?

We know that diverse classrooms, in which students learn cooperatively alongside those whose perspectives and backgrounds are different from their own, are beneficial to all students —including middle-class white students—because these environments promote creativity, motivation, deeper learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. 10

How does diversity in the classroom affect student outcomes?

The results? Students who enjoyed the most diversity in their classrooms throughout the day also scored the highest in each of these measures. In other words, as classrooms became more racially balanced, students felt safer, less bullied, and less lonely.

Do diverse college campuses and classrooms make students smarter?

In higher education, university officials and business leaders argue that diverse college campuses and classrooms prepare students for life, work, and leadership in a more global economy by fostering leaders who are creative, collaborative, and able to navigate deftly in dynamic, multicultural environments. 20

How racially diverse schools and classrooms can benefit all?

Racially and socioeconomically diverse schools offer students important social-emotional benefits by exposing them to peers of different backgrounds. The increased tolerance and cross-cultural dialogue that result from these interactions are beneficial for civil society.

How do students benefit from diversity in schools?

Students Feel More Confident and Safe Students who learn about different cultures during their education feel more comfortable and safe with these differences later in life. This allows them to interact in a wider range of social groups and feel more confident in themselves as well as in their interactions with others.

What are the benefits of racial diversity?

The Benefits of Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the WorkplaceGains in worker welfare and efficiency.Reduced turnover costs.Fewer internal disputes and grievances.Improved accessibility to new and diverse customer markets.Higher productivity and increased revenue.Increased innovation.More items...

What are the benefits of cultural diversity in the classroom?

A culturally diverse classroom: 6 benefits for youFriends with cultural benefits.Reflecting the workplace.Cultural awareness & understanding.Gaining global perspectives & practices.A fair & equal education.Belonging to something bigger.

What are the benefits of mixed schools?

Advantages of Mixed Schooling SystemDevelop personality and skills. Another best advantage of a mixed schooling system is both boys and girls are always ready to develop their skills and personality. ... Teach respect for each other. Being parents we always teach our kids to respects, everyone. ... Economical fees.

How does race affect education opportunities?

Black students are two times more likely to be suspended without education services compared to their white peers. Schools with 90% or more of students of color spend $733 less per student. Black students may experience microaggressions and censoring from peers.

How does diversity benefit a society?

It helps dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups. In addition, cultural diversity helps us recognize and respect “ways of being” that are not necessarily our own. So that as we interact with others we can build bridges to trust, respect, and understanding across cultures.

What is racial diversity and why is it important?

Racial diversity is the acknowledgement and celebration of difference between racial groups. Diversity recognizes and values differences within as well as between racial identities, noting the intersectionality of many groups including "ethnicity, gender...

What are the benefits of having a diverse society?

The benefits of living in a diverse society are:it promotes tolerance and understanding between different cultures;it enriches our community through shared experiences with different people;it attracts more money to our economy through the growth of different businesses;More items...

What are the benefits of learning about different cultures?

Embracing different cultures through travel allows you to experience what it's like to be a part of a community other than your own. It also gives you cultural awareness and acceptance, which can help break down cultural barriers while interacting with people of different backgrounds.

How does diversity affect students?

The presence of diversity in the classroom allows students to consider perspectives and opinions beyond those they’ve already formed or were shaped in early life by family and friends. By presenting students with viewpoints far different from their own, it gives them the opportunity to think critically about their own beliefs and examine the world in fresh ways. As noted by an article in Scientific American, exposure to diversity alters the way individuals think by promoting creativity and innovation, as well as decision-making and problem-solving skills. As the article summarizes, “Diversity jolts us into cognitive action in ways that homogeneity simply does not.”

Why is cultural diversity important in the classroom?

For an educator, understanding cultural diversity in the classroom is a crucial part of being able to anticipate where certain lessons might lead, or any issues that might arise between students of different backgrounds. Educators can establish a tone of inclusion, emphasizing that all perspectives are valuable.

How does diversity in the classroom help students?

It has also enabled social scientists to study how diversity in the classroom leads to students’ increased cultural understanding, stronger critical thinking skills and enhanced creativity, which all better prepare them for adulthood. The National Education Association reports that 2014 was the first year in which the majority ...

What is creativity in the workplace?

At its core, creativity is all about bringing together different ideas and transforming them to make something new, unique, and personal. The more ideas and experiences people are exposed to, the more creative they can be. Indeed, Scientific American cites a study conducted by several research professors who found that groups with racial diversity significantly outperformed groups without diversity in a problem-solving scenario. In professional and nonprofessional situations that call for creativity, it is a wise choice to bring together diverse perspectives.

How does diversity affect civic engagement?

As part of the Century Foundation’s research study on diversity, the authors reviewed 27 different studies about the effects of diversity on people’s willingness to interact with and improve their local community—a concept known as civic engagement. The study found that experiences with diversity in college do lead to increased civic engagement. This indicates the more involved citizens are with their government and political landscape, and the more educated they become about government processes, the more informed decisions they can make about how they are governed. As the U.S. Department of Education notes, students’ experiences with diversity help mold them into more engaged citizens.

What is NDT Resource Center?

The NDT Resource Center suggests activities such as visiting community landmarks of importance to their culture, and interviewing important members of their community. Students can then be given the opportunity to share what they discover with their classmates.

Why is it important to learn about your own culture?

Learning about one’s own culture is just as important as learning about others when it comes to developing cultural understanding among students. Educators with a strong teaching background such as an EdD can facilitate projects for their students that encourage them to get to know their own history.

How many middle school students did Jaana Juvonen study?

Now, a new, complex, wide-ranging study strengthens that case—and takes it one step further by revealing additional benefits for students of all ethnicities. Jaana Juvonen and colleagues at the University of California, Los Angeles, studied 4,302 students in 26 middle schools across Southern California, one of the nation’s most diverse regions.

Who is Adam Smith?

Jeremy Adam Smith edits the GGSC’s online magazine, Greater Good. He is also the author or coeditor of five books, including The Daddy Shift, Are We Born Racist?, and (most recently) The Gratitude Project: How the Science of Thankfulness Can Rewire Our Brains for Resilience, Optimism, and the Greater Good. Before joining the GGSC, Jeremy was a John S. Knight Journalism Fellow at Stanford University. You can follow him on Twitter!

Does school diversity have positive effects on intergroup attitudes?

This insight also has implications for researchers, because “ignoring individual students’ diversity exposure within schools might lead to the erroneous conclusion that school diversity does not have positive effects on intergroup attitudes.”.

Do black students benefit from diversity?

Note that black, Latino, and white students still benefited overall from school diversity —they just felt the benefits at different levels, on average. (There is little evidence that diversity actually hurts any group of students, though at least one study has found that black students can suffer lower self-esteem in certain situations.)

Why is culturally responsive teaching important?

With these culturally responsive teaching strategies in mind, it’s important to remind ourselves why diversity and cultural awareness is so crucial in the classroom and the benefits it can have on students now and in the long-term.

How can teachers and administrators help students with cultural diversity?

There are several ways teachers and administrators, such as principals and coaches, can ensure that both the classroom environment and curriculum are responsive to the increasing cultural diversity of our society. These strategies will encourage all students’ cultural awareness, enhancing each student’s sense of identity, ...

Why is it important to promote awareness in the classroom?

Promoting awareness and creating a personal connection with diverse cultures in the classroom can prevent students from developing prejudices later in life. It allows them to empathize with people different from themselves since they’re more aware of the experiences someone of a different race or cultural group may face.

How to promote cultural awareness in the classroom?

Ensuring that cultural awareness is promoted in the classroom starts with the teacher understanding each individual student. Take the time to learn about each student’s cultural background, hobbies, learning styles, and what makes them unique.

Why do teachers do group assignments?

Group assignments are also a great way to expose students to diverse perspectives, allowing them to work together to explore and solve a problem.

Why do students learn about different cultures during their education?

Students who learn about different cultures during their education feel more comfortable and safe with these differences later in life. This allows them to interact in a wider range of social groups and feel more confident in themselves as well as in their interactions with others.

Why is communication important in a classroom?

If students feel appreciated by and comfortable with the teacher , there’s a better chance they’ll feel comfortable talking with and respect their peers in the class – and communication is the core to a culturally aware and inclusive classroom.

How to create a learning environment that authentically supports racial diversity?

In order to create a learning environment that authentically supports racial diversity, educators can start with self-reflection. Understanding oneself will reveal educators’ feelings, thoughts, and attitudes about race and how they influence interactions and expectations with students.

What is the conversation about multicultural education?

By Amanda Armstrong. Conversations about multicultural education, antiracism, and antibias are becoming more prevalent within educational communities. However, there may be hesitation and confusion about whether and how to create a classroom community that is supportive of children from racially diverse backgrounds—particularly ones who are younger.

What can educators do to help students with race?

Educators can implement activities that specifically address race-related topics or conversations. Students can read books that feature characters of different skin tones, then have a conversation about the importance of making friends with people from different backgrounds.

Can teachers share a similar racial background with students?

Even if teachers share a similar racial background with students or self-identify as a BIPOC, it does not mean that they’re aware of how race and culture influence their teaching. Educators can try journaling or having peer discussions to reflect on how their teaching practices are influenced by race and culture.

How can students in diverse classrooms build cross-racial friendships?

Given the right atmosphere and guidance, which is a tall order, students in diverse classrooms can build cross-racial friendships, achieve greater levels of empathy and have a chance to work on all-important social and emotional skills.

What percentage of middle class students are stable?

When a school reaches a stable level of about 30 percent middle-class students, the lower-income students achieve at higher levels and the privileged students do no worse, says Halley Potter, the author of one of the Century Foundation reports.

How much money will go to school districts for diversity?

If the request is approved, $120 million will go to school districts for programs intended to make their schools more diverse.

Is there empirical research on socioeconomic diversity?

There's "not much empirical research on socioeconomic diversity per se ," and its benefits, says Katherine Phillips, a professor at the Columbia Business School. Phillips' own research, along with that of many others, focuses on the cognitive benefits of encounters with ethnic and racial difference.

Is affirmative action an economic imperative?

Supreme Court case on affirmative action, nearly half of the companies in the Fortune 100 signed a brief testifying that it's an "economic imperative" in the global economy to hire diverse employees with cross-cultural skills that only diverse educational settings can provide. Copyright 2016 NPR.

Academic and Cognitive Benefits

Civic and Social-Emotional Benefits

• Racially and socioeconomically diverse schools offer students important social-emotional benefits by exposing them to peers of different backgrounds. The increased tolerance and cross-cultural dialogue that result from these interactions are beneficial for civil society. 1. Attending a diverse school can help reduce racial bias and counter stereoty...

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Economic Benefits