Affirmative Action in the Classroom: Diversity Effects on Student Outcomes: Social Science Evidence

  • The article examines the empirical and theoretical research on the effects of racial and ethnic diversity on student outcomes.
  • The author outlines a conceptual model of learning that shows how cognitive, social and contextual factors interact to affect learning.
  • Learning is shown as a function of student ability, student effort, and opportunities to learn.
  • Three factors are important for learning opportunities- how students are organized, teacher pedagogy, and curriculum content.
  • The research generally shows that desegregated schools have a positive effect on student achievement.
  • The studies indicate that diversity has positive affects on attitudes and social ties across racial groups.
  • The effects of diversity on college students are predominantly positive.
  • The author summarizes the sociological and social psychological theories that support and provide insights into diversity effects—contact theory, expectations states theory, network theory and theories of interpersonal attraction.
  • Racial and ethnic diversity benefit both White and minority students without measurable disadvantages for any group of students