Research on High School Students’ Acceptance of Minorities

A study published in Large-Scale Assessments in Education examines whether learning in diverse classrooms and participating in civic activities at school are linked to more positive attitudes toward minorities.

It looked at the factors that could affect students' attitudes towards equal rights for ethnic and racial groups across 18 countries in 2009 and 2016 and had some key findings.

The most important factor was how much students knew about civics (like government and rights). Students who understood civics better were more likely to support equal rights. This pattern was true in every country, though the effect was stronger in some places than others.

Civic participation in school activities also significantly predicted tolerant attitudes in most countries. Meaning that when students actively participate in activities related to civic engagement (such as school projects, volunteer work, or community service) their involvement helps them become more aware of diverse groups and increases their acceptance of them.

Interestingly, community-based civic participation did not have a significant impact on students’ attitudes, which contrasts with the strong influence of school-based activities.

Understanding the Research

This study draws on data from the International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS). The ICCS evaluates how well young people in participating countries are prepared for their roles as citizens.

The main thing being measured was how tolerant students were about giving all groups equal opportunities, such as in education and jobs. So, the following factors were considered:

• Classroom diversity (the percentage of immigrant students in the classroom)
• Civic participation (how involved students were in their school and community)
• Students’ family background (socio-economic status)
• Whether students were male or female
• How much students know about civics (government and rights)

The study’s key results related to students’ attitudes toward tolerance and classroom diversity include the following:

• Between 2009 and 2016, most countries showed a significant increase in average attitudes toward equal rights for ethnic or racial groups. On average, students were more supportive of equal rights for minorities in 2016 compared to 2009.
• Having more immigrant students in the classroom creates more chances for students to interact with different groups, which can help build tolerance.
• The attitudes students held about minority rights were mostly influenced by factors outside the classroom, such as their families and communities. Classrooms had a small effect (less than 10%) on shaping attitudes, even though they are often seen as important for teaching social values.
• Higher civic participation among students correlated with more positive attitudes toward tolerance.
• Having a mix of students from different economic backgrounds in the classroom did not always lead to changes in tolerance in every country.

Practical Strategies for Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers

The study shows that learning about civics and being involved in school activities help students accept minorities. However, family and society have a bigger influence, and schools should also focus more on teaching tolerance and creating inclusive environments.

Here are strategies that may help:

Promote involvement in extracurriculars

This is a great way for parents and teachers to help students connect with diverse groups. Parents can show support by explaining to their children the benefits of joining clubs that promote acceptance and diversity, like cultural or volunteer groups.

Teachers can support this by sharing these opportunities at school events and making sure all students feel welcome to join.

Organize events that highlight diversity

Teachers can plan activities like multicultural fairs, heritage days, or classroom presentations where students learn about and celebrate different cultures. They can also invite guest speakers from various backgrounds to share their experiences.

Parents can help by volunteering to organize these events, preparing traditional foods, or sharing cultural traditions and stories. When we model curiosity and respect toward different cultures and perspectives, we teach our kids to value diversity!

Start at home

At home, parents can help their children appreciate diversity by sharing books, movies, and music that feature different cultures and traditions. For example, you can read stories from various cultural backgrounds or watch family-friendly films with diverse characters.

The researchers also recommend studying specific school activities to find out which ones best promote tolerance. This may help create better school programs.

Want to build a more inclusive environment at your school? Check out our Character Education or Social Skills Posters. These posters teach students the importance of respect, empathy, and diversity in everyday interactions.