Debunking the Middle-Class Myth: Why Diverse Schools Are Good for All Kids

by Eileen Gale Kugler, Gary Orfield (Foreword)

Many parents search for a "good" school to enroll their children. They look at the school's standardized test scores and check out demographic statistics, but fail to investigate the strengths of these schools that have a vibrant mix of races and cultures. Eileen Gale Kugler offers a unique perspective on what every educator, parent, and community leader should know about reaping the rich harvest of our diverse schools. This book provides guidance on how we can all work together to dispel the myths and nurture the opportunities that these schools offer such as academic challenge and social advantages. Anecdotes from Kugler's personal experience are included as well as information from 80 interviews with key educators, parents, and students. This book stands alone as a resource that pulls all of this information together. Will be of interest to anyone who cares about education.
See Wendy Burt-Thomas's interview with author Eileen Kugler at

Genres: Nonfiction, Education

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eileen Kugler provides a parent's narrative account of the benefits of racially diverse schools. She addresses many prevalent preconceptions and argues that the best schools are NOT necessarily the ones with the highest standardized test scores, that diverse schools provide rigorous academics and quality instruction, and that interaction with diversity is vital for students growing up in today's world.

In order to support diverse schools, the author suggests questioning the sources of misinformed rumors and sharing first-hand experiences in diverse schools. I was disappointed that this book didn't provide more concrete ideas for convincing parents who may not believe that their child could benefit from diverse schooling. All in all I felt this book spoke to an audience who already valued diversity.

A good read, but not world-changing.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a literary classic, but the topic is very important and this book is a no-nonsense practical guide from an actual parent of kids in a diverse school.
The key factoid I got out of it is that real estate agents are key players in perpetuating school segregation.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is long on anecdote and short on statistics. That makes it less than convincing. I didn't need convincing, as I pulled my kid out of a private school and enrolled her in a very diverse (ethnically and economically) neighborhood public school. To me, she was preaching to the choir.

I don't think there is enough in this book to convince someone with other leanings, though.

BTW, parents trying to decide between schools may want to read Odd Girl Out. Rachel Simmons showed that homogeneous, white, upper-middle class schools actually have much more girl on girl bullying than diverse schools.