The
Effect of Multicultural Education
on the Academic Achievement of Black Students
Algernon
Austin
Abstract
Many advocates of multicultural education argue that
multiculturalism will improve the academic performance of minority
students. This paper examines the theoretical assumptions of multiculturalism
and evaluates the effect of multicultural education on the academic
performance of black students in 23 middle schools. The assumption
that low self-esteem, weak self-concepts, and weak racial identities
cause black underachievement did not recieve empirical support.
The assumption that low black achievement is caused by a "clash
of cultures" is also challenged. The degree of multiculturalism
in schools was not found to produce gains in black students' academic
performance. In fact, the effect of multiculturalism was negative.
Algernon
Austin, Department of Sociology, Northwestern University
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