WASHINGTON
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights assembled a panel of experts on Friday to discuss whether students benefit from diversity in elementary and secondary schools.
The briefing was prompted by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to weigh in later this year on the extent to which K-12 schools can use race in school assignments. In two cases before the court, out of Seattle and Louisville, Ky., White parents sued the school districts after their children were denied enrollment in the school of their choice because of the districts’ efforts to maintain racial balances.
An enhanced learning environment, increased social interaction, improved attitudes and citizenship, as well as educational and occupational gains were some of the benefits of attending a diverse school, said Dr. Michal Kurlaender, assistant professor of education, University of California-Davis.
“Studies also show White students’ proximity to Black students leads to their likelihood of cross-racial interactions and friendships which continue later in life and in the workplace,” Kurlaender said.
However, Dr. David Armor, professor of public policy at George Mason University, said the benefits of racially balanced school environments were limited.
“I believe a comprehensive review of social science research shows that the academic and social benefits of racial balance are limited, quite aside from whether they meet constitutional requirements,” he said.
While he accepted that Black students in desegregated schools were likely to be found in desegregated colleges or work environments later in life, it was only due to self-selection. “Research literature… fails to reveal any strong and consistent benefits of desegregated schools on academic achievement, college attendance, self-esteem, racial attitudes and race relations,” he said.
