Do Parents Really Want School Integration?
January 2020
Our report calls on parents to “walk the talk” on school integration.
Do parents really want school integration? The short answer is yes.
Our research suggests that the vast majority of parents across political affiliation, race, class, and geographic region strongly favor schools that are racially and economically integrated. But this doesn’t translate into action. In districts where parents actually have a choice, schools tend to become more segregated, not less. For example, white, affluent parents often choose schools based on the number of white, affluent students in attendance.
As parents, neighbors, and community members, we have a fundamental moral responsibility to desegregate our schools. It’s a matter of basic equity and our commitments to one another in a democratic society.
Authored by Richard Weissbourd with Eric Torres
Contact
mcc@gse.harvard.edu
“Despite parents’ espoused support for integration, in districts where parents are actually given greater opportunities to choose schools, schools appear to become more segregated.”
Key findings
Parents of all backgrounds (men and women, Democrats and Republicans, and people of all races, levels of education, and income levels) tend to agree that racial and economic integration are important and would prefer that their children attend schools that are substantially integrated both racially and economically.
On average, parents expressed the highest levels of comfort with a school that is 50% low-income and 50% more affluent students.
On average, parents expressed the highest levels of comfort with schools that served an equal proportion of white students and students of color.
Read more in the full report (PDF).
“...many white, advantaged parents appear to determine school quality by how many other white, advantaged parents send their child to a school...”
Examples of what integrated school districts are doing
In Hartford, CT, magnet schools have enrolled roughly equal proportions of white, Black, and Latinx students, produced high achievement (with small achievement gaps), and have been popular among families.
In Jefferson, KY, the district runs a popular, county-wide integration effort that uses socioeconomic and racial data of census blocks with family choice to determine school enrollments.
In Cambridge, MA, the district uses a “controlled choice” model that takes into account family preferences while also ensuring that proportions of “free and reduced lunch” and “paid lunch” at given schools reflect the district proportions.
What parents can do
Go beyond test scores. Instead of focusing on one narrow data point, go on school tools, talk to parents outside of your circle, and talk to experts to gather other types of information.
Check your assumptions and reflect on your biases. False assumptions and biases can interfere with an accurate and fair assessment of a school. Remember to test your assumptions, keep an open mind, get honest feedback, and seek diverse perspectives.
Make the best choice for your child, but consider other children in your community. Integration is important because it’s good for your children, other children, and the country as a whole.
