Understanding Racial Attitudes Among Students and Teachers in a Ethnically/Racially Diverse High School. (17th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Davis, Alexandra N.; Carlo, Gustavo; Bennett, Denise; Gallarza, Wendy; Saiz, Dominic
• Other Names: Halgunseth Linda C. guestEditor.; Witherspoon Dawn P. guestEditor.; Wray‐Lakes Laura guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of research on adolescence. Volume 32:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 417
• Page End: 431
• Publication Date: 2022-01-17
• Subjects: racial attitudes -- education; Adolescence -- Periodicals; 155.5
• DOI: 10.1111/jora.12730
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1050-8392

Abstract

Abstract : This study examined the role of racial attitudes in a diverse high school setting. Teachers and students were recruited from a public charter high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The final sample consisted of 19 students and 10 teachers who participated in face‐to‐face interviews regarding racial attitudes and racial bias in the academic setting. Three themes emerged among the teacher interviews: rejecting racial inequalities, contradicting thoughts and color‐blind explanations, and racially conscious explanations. For the student interviews, two themes emerged: color‐blind racial attitudes and witnessing/experiencing bias. These findings yield evidence that color‐blind racial attitudes are prevalent in diverse schools among students and teachers, presenting a challenge to intervention efforts in schools aimed at promoting racial justice.