First Focus on Children hosted this briefing on Monday, September 23rd, at 12:30 PM in the Russell Senate Office Building (Room SR-385) where we discussed new research illustrating the importance of inclusivity to student success. Dr. Emily Penner, Associate Professor at the University of California, Irvine, presented her research on how ethnic studies coursework can reduce racial inequality and improve student outcomes. Dr. Sophia Rodriguez, Associate Professor at NYU Steinhardt, highlighted her study showing that unwelcoming school climates discourage Hispanic immigrant youth and outline ways that schools can create a more positive and welcoming environment.
Together, these findings underscore the importance of ethnic studies coursework, school-student partnerships, and inclusive environments in fostering student success.
Resources from the event
- Event Coverage: What Works to Help Students of Color Feel Like They Belong at School
- Slide Deck: “Nobody is listening to us”: Latinx immigrant youth perspectives on race, discrimination, belonging and racial equity in schools
- Slide Deck: Sustaining Ethnic Studies as it Grows
- Article: Latino youth struggle with sense of belonging in school
- Report: Struggling to Belong: Evidence From a Survey of Youth Belonging in Public Schools
- Report: Toward Race-Conscious Care-Based Healing to Support Latino Immigrant Youth
- Blog: “Nobody is listening to us”: Latinx immigrant youth perspectives on race, discrimination, and racial
