Desegregation In Segregation Schools: An Analysis

A study by Pat António Goldsmith found that eighth-grade black and Latino students are more likely than similar white students to have “high occupational expectations, educational aspirations, and concrete attitudes” (2004). This research also suggests that black and Latinos in segregated schools have great optimism about their future education, and have more positive attitudes about class and teachers, especially if the teachers are of minority background. Goldsmith notes that this results can be because “concentrating blacks and Latinos in a school is likely to improve the school’s normative climate because blacks and Latinos, all else being equal, tend to have high beliefs” and when they compare themselves to each other, it improves aspirations because these students are “relatively low achieving” (2004). So, schools with high minority populations can lead to better attitudes in regards to self-efficacy and success, which is important for students to graduate and continue their education. Ray Fuess agreed with this idea. He said, “I think anytime you can reflect on what actual society looks like you’re setting kids up for better success.” He commented further on …show more content…
Even with court-ordered desegregation efforts, social and academic segregation can occur internally, and without court-ordered desegregation efforts, students end up with fewer resources and teachers have less support. There are positives to segregation in terms of morale, and having teachers as role models who are racially diverse. Regardless of what path public policy leaders choose to tackle the growing issue, scholars Bertrand, Perez, and Rogers said it best: “it is important that efforts be taken in both political and academic arenas to galvanize the discourses and discursive strategies that promote equity and expose those that re-entrench racism and classism in education”