#179 School Integration Made Kids Less Conservative
Jun 20, 2024
auto_awesome
Education scholar Mark Chin discusses his research on the impact of school integration in the South, finding that students who attended integrated schools became less conservative and more tolerant adults. This challenges the focus on test scores in education policy and sheds light on the current trend of school privatization in the South aiming to produce more conservative and less tolerant individuals.
Attending integrated schools led to less conservative and more tolerant adults.
Research highlights the importance of diverse peer groups in shaping future attitudes and behaviors.
Deep dives
Research on School Integration Impact
Mark Chin's research delves into the impact of integration on individuals, particularly focusing on how attending integrated schools influenced children's political views into adulthood. By studying the impact of court-ordered desegregation on youth in the South following Brown versus Board, the research found that individuals who attended integrated schools displayed more liberal political views and attitudes compared to those who did not. The study highlights the significance of diverse peer groups in shaping future attitudes and behaviors.
Challenges in Achieving Equity in Education
The discussion extends to the challenges of pursuing equity in education amidst current privatization efforts and policy shifts. Mark's work underscores the importance of education not only in improving academic outcomes but also in fostering civic engagement and social interactions. The conversation raises critical questions about the tension between parental desires and societal goals in shaping educational policies and outcomes.
Significance of School Desegregation
Mark's study sheds light on the profound implications of school desegregation efforts, particularly in the South, where integration had a more impactful influence on individuals' political ideologies. The research identified a notable decline in political conservatism among white students who attended integrated schools, emphasizing the transformative effects of integration on attitudes and voting behaviors.
Importance of Continuing Discussions on Integration
The episode underscores the ongoing importance of discussions around racial integration in schools and the broader societal implications. Despite challenges and setbacks in achieving racial diversity in schools, the conversation highlights the critical need to prioritize inclusive educational environments that promote diversity, equity, and positive social outcomes. It emphasizes the significance of maintaining a dialogue on the role of education in shaping attitudes and fostering societal progress.
Students who lived through court-ordered desegregation in the South grew up to become less conservative, more tolerant adults. That’s the finding of provocative research from education scholar Mark Chin, who compared students who attended integrated schools with their peers in the same county who didn’t. Mark says his research is a reminder to academics to think bigger than test scores when looking at the impact of education policy. But it also provides us with essential context for understanding today’s wave of school privatization in the South: an effort to produce kids who will be more conservative and less tolerant as adults.
Our new book, The Education Wars: A Citizen’s Guide and Defense Manual, will be out on July 2. You can pre-order it here: https://www.educationwarsbook.com/order
The financial support of listeners like you keeps this podcast going. Subscribe on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/HaveYouHeardPodcast
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode