If parents want their children to be prepared for a diverse workforce, they should help bolster diversity in schools, U.S. Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr., told the National PTA earlier this month
鈥淟ike math and reading, like science, social studies, and the arts, diversity is no longer a luxury; it鈥檚 essential for helping our students get ready for the world they will encounter after high school and, increasingly, throughout their lives,鈥� King said July 1. " If your child wants to grow up to work at Google or Facebook, they better be able to relate to people around the world as well as know how to code.鈥�
And King thinks it isn鈥檛 only minority parents who have a stake here. 鈥淪chool diversity is an issue for all parents.
King said in an interview shortly before his remarks. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a long body of research evidence that diverse schools can create better outcomes for all students,鈥�
The Every Student Succeeds Act presents some opportunities for school districts here, King added. States and districts, he said, should consider bolstering diversity as a way to help schools that are struggling. 69传媒 could, for instance, offer programs like dual language immersion that might attract a broader mix of families.
And schools where subgroup students are struggling should also take a look at this, he said. For example, he said, a school may be diverse, but Advanced Placement classes and enrichment opportunities may not be, he said in the interview.
What鈥檚 more, King said, Rep. Marcia Fudge and Sen. Chris Murphy are working on legislation to help school districts become better integrated.
King also noted in his speech that he sends both of his daughters to 鈥渆xtremely鈥� diverse schools in Maryland鈥檚 Montgomery County.