2004 - Schools' Role in Shaping Race Relations Evidence on Friendliness and Conflict

Findings:

• As predicted by Macro structural theory, school integration increased perceptions of both friendliness and conflict, with conflict increasing more rapid.
• Consistent with contact theory, segregated tracks, fewer minority teachers, less group work and segregated extracurricular activities worsen racial relations.
• In support of group threat theory, students are especially likely to avoid interracial contact in biracial schools with equally-sized groups.
• Schools must eliminate racial tracking programs, hire more minority teachers, promote the use of group work in classes and integrate the extra curriculum.