Does Diversity Matter? School Racial Composition and Academic Achievement of Students in a Diverse Sample

Abstract

Research findings on school diversity and its impact on children’s educational outcomes is mixed. This study examined school racial diversity and educational outcomes for ethnically diverse students. Data came from third graders, N = 33,857 (51.8% male; 57.2% Latinx), in 278 schools. Using multilevel models, we examined the association between school racial composition and academic outcomes. Results showed that increased school diversity was negatively related to academic achievement, but this association was moderated by race. For White students, more equal representation was positively related to academic achievement, but this association was negative for Black and Latinx students.

Keywords

academic achievement urban education diversity social Hispanic students

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