Integrated schools aim to promote socially equitable access to educational facilities and resources regardless of the student’s racial identity. School integration, also known as school desegregation, is on the narrow track of removing racial barriers and discriminatory policies. Integrated schools strive to create a balanced environment that will eliminate any segregation by poverty and any forms of educational inequality for students to properly study and strive for success.
A lot of years have already passed since the Brown v. Board of Education wherein it is ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional but there is still school segregation that endures. Throughout the 1970s and the 1980s; integrated schools have started to steadily increase their attending students. In comparison to the 70s, schools have become more racially segregated than before.
“Research shows that segregation has strong, negative relationships with the achievement, college success, long-term employment and income of students of color. At a time of dramatic demographic transformation, these trends are critical for us to address.” Erica Frankenberg, Penn State associate professor of education (educational leadership) and demography.
The school segregation issue is a very serious issue that threatens the unity of the whole community. Today, multiracial individuals have drastically increased making a much more diverse demographic. Diversity is growing rapidly but the schools remain largely segregated. The practice of school segregation aggravates the differences between each student. This fuels tension and will progress to the division from schools, to the community and will spread throughout the nation.
The argument about the case of school integration has been going on and on and to no avail does it end with a satisfying conclusion. But is it a great investment to promote school integration?
Preparation for diverse future
The “Harming our Common Future: America’s Segregated Schools 65 Years After Brown” is a report that shows thorough information about the surging multiracial population enrolling in the public schools. Research finds that segregation has been expanding across the nation despite the fact that there is an emergence of particular races.
Wherever we look, one can notice how diverse the world has been. From educational facilities to the adult workforce, the nation is a melting pot of races. These trends are needed to be tackled properly because the future of the young ones will be determined through their educational preparation for a diverse future.
Integrated schools have a stronger academic outcome
Learning in an integrated setting will help students realize to act cooperatively alongside people with different perspectives and backgrounds. This will enhance creativity and motivate the students to have a deeper learning and better problem-solving skills.
Reduced racial achievement gaps
According to a study from Stanford’s Center for Education Policy Analysis, one of the greatest contributing factors for the racial achievement gap is school segregation. During the 1970s and 1980s when desegregation was strong, the gap in racial achievement went down drastically. Due to this instance where a lot will be benefitting from a more efficient education, the difference, in terms of academic standing, between students in an integrated school to a high-poverty school is like land and sky.
Lesser dropout rates and better preparation for higher education
Segregated, high-poverty schools, particularly those in the big cities, have an exceedingly higher dropout rate and poorer student preparation than integrated schools. The peak of desegregation during the 70s and 80s shows the greatest decline in the dropout rate for minority students. If lesser students were to drop out, more will continue to pursue higher education giving them a much wider opportunity for their future career.
Help reduce racial bias and counter stereotypes
People will grow up developing stereotypical tendencies about other racial groups if they, since childhood, were to be educated in a segregated setting. If they were to socialize with people of other races, they will be more comfortable with other people which may result in a lesser development of discriminatory attitude. The students will learn to form emotional bonds and treat other people as a friend or someone closer breaking the racial barriers.
Economically beneficial and cost-efficient.
Integrated schools will provide equitable access to educational institutions, facilities, and resources. This will help in reducing disparities in accessing the needed resources for a proper education, private and public funding for education. Students that are more adept in a diverse environment are more likely to succeed in the global economy.
