Article+Critique+Diversity+in+Primary+Schools+Promotes+Harmony

Thomas Monteverde SPE 565 Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms Prof. Alterio 10 October 2008

Article Critique: //Diversity in Primary Schools Promotes Harmony// Integration of students from diverse backgrounds is an integral part of education. Issues regarding integration, separation and ethnic identity can have positive and negative effects on students of all races and genders. The diverse background of students can promote an environment of cultural acceptance and understanding, but can also be a source of social anxiety and racial discrimination. The article published by E Science News reports research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The researchers studied the effect of the ethnic composition of primary schools on students' attitudes toward those in other ethnic groups and on there ability to get along with their peers. The research consisted of a year long longitudinal study at twenty different schools. The study involved 398 students. Ethnic minorities accounted for 54.8 % of the students studied. The data was collected from three sets of interviews that occurred at approximately six monthly intervals. Each student was interviewed about their attitude towards themselves, their heritage, their culture, and their relationship with their peers The ethnic minority composition of the schools ranged between 2% and 63%. The study showed that the composition of the schools had drastic effects on the students attending. The research revealed that the vast majority of children from immigrant backgrounds wanted to keep their ethnic identity including their language and religious customs but, at the same time, they were keen to adopt as many of the practices and values of the host society as possible. This known as an integrationist orientation. This orientation positively effected the students both emotionally and socially. When interviewed several months into the study children with an integrationist orientation showed improvements in self-esteem and were accepted more by their white classmates, but there were also negative effect of an integrationist orientation. An integrationist orientation can cause anxiety among students attempting to assimilate to the host culture and maintain routes to there own culture at the same time. Racial discrimination is also more prevalent among these students. The negative effects however were less common in schools with a relatively high level of ethnic diversity and these schools also had social benefits for white students. Schools with a ethnic minority population greater that 20% had students with higher self-esteem, better peer relationships, and fewer incidents of bullying. The ability to effect the ethnic make-up of a school is limited by many factors which are uncontrollable. The problems such as social anxiety and racial discrimination that are inherent in schools with low ethnic population can be resolved by educators. One method would be to include positive examples from all races and genders that are present within the class. This creates a cohesive environment and also is offers positive role models for students in the ethnic minority. A teacher can also celebrate the diverse cultures present throughout the curriculum. Celebrating all cultures in the curriculum creates a level of understanding among all students. It is the responsibility of the educators to promote acceptance of all cultures, prevent racial discrimination, and prevent social anxiety which results from ethnic diversity.