The Yale University Child Study Center did a study on 130 educators and found out that 42% of the respondents had a racial bias against black students.
As early as preschool
The Yale researchers had a unique approach when it came to their study. They used advanced eye-tracking technology to observe the eyes of the educators while they observed a group of students. The researchers came to the conclusion that the teachers had a tendency to closely observe black students more than the other children.
They also found that black teachers hold black students to a higher standard when it comes to their behaviour. The researchers speculated that the black educators might believe that “black children require harsh assessment and discipline to prepare them for a harsh world,” according to Yale News.
They also added that white educators might have a stereotype that black preschoolers have a predisposition to misbehaviour. Thus, they subject black preschoolers to less stringent standards compared to white children.
Not enough data
In light of the study, Tampa Psychologist Dr. Stacey Scheckner is worried about what type of message the study could send.
According to a statement by Dr. Scheckner, “I think it is wrong that we spread this type of information because people who are already maybe racist or reverse racist are going to grab hold of anything that they can find without really looking at the empirical research.”
Dr. Sheckner has also conducted studies on her own, and she believes that there’s not enough data to confirm the study’s claims.
“We are talking about one study. Did the government say OK I want 17 studies? And then let’s gather all the research and look at why is it only one study?” Dr. Scheckner adds.
Racism in school
While the study can neither confirm nor deny the prevalence of racism in schools, it does however shed light into just how important the issue of racism is.
Racism is an issue that needs to be addressed, most especially in schools. We need to teach our children that regardless of whatever skin color we have, or whatever ethnicity we have, we’re all human beings that need to love and respect each other.
Talking about these sensitive issues early on is necessary so that our children grow up with an open mind and nothing but love, understanding, and acceptance in their hearts.
Sources: Yale.edu, ABC Action News