Why Integration Matters

NYC has one of the most segregated school systems in our Nation.1

Middle-school students feel safer, less bullied and less lonely when they are in ethnically diverse schools.2

Classrooms with different racial and ethnic backgrounds are closely connected to higher level of dialogue and debate.3

Diversity consistently increases math and science scores for all students including whites students.4

Students of all socioeconomic statuses, races, ethnicities, & grade levels have higher mathematics performance if they attended socioeconomically and racially integrated schools.5

Schools’ socioeconomic makeup has an even greater impact on student performance than an individual student family’s socioeconomic or racial status.6

Critical thinking, problem-solving capacities, and cognitive complexity increase for all students exposed to diversity on the campus and in the classroom.7

Sources

1. John Kucsera and Gary Orfield, "New York State's Extreme School Segregation: Inequality, Inaction and a Damaged Fugure," UCLA Civil Rights Project (2014).

2. Juvonen et al., 2006. "Peer Victimization in School: Exploring the Ethnic Context," Current Directions in Psychological Science, December 2006 15: 317-321.

3.Chang, M. 2006. The Educational Benefits of Sustaining Cross-Racial Interaction among Undergraduates. Journal of Higher Education, 430. Gurin, P., Nagda, B.A., Zúñiga, X. (forthcoming). Engaging Race and Gender: Intergroup Dialogues in Higher Education. New York, NY).

4. Mickelson, R. & Bottia, M. (2010). Integrated education and mathematics outcomes: A synthesis of social science research. North Carolina Law Review, 88, 993.

5.Roslyn Mickelson and Martha Bottia (2010), "Integrated Education and Mathmatics Outcomes: A Synthesis of Social Science Research," North Carolina Law Review, 88.

6.Marguerite L. Spencer, Rebecca Reno (2009), “The Benefits of Racial and Economic Integration in Our education System: Why this Matters for our Democracy” Ohio State University.

7. Darryl G. Smith, Natalie Shonfeld (2000), “The Benefits of Diversity: What The Research Tells Us” About Campus.