Schools and the Diversity Transition in the Wealthy Societies of the West

Abstract

The rich countries of the West are facing a diversity transition that will unfold in the next several decades. The transition means that these societies will depend increasingly on individuals who have grown up in immigrant homes to maintain economic, social, and cultural vitality. This situation turns a spotlight on educational systems, which are crucial to preparing the children from low-status immigrant families to participate in the institutions of the mainstream. The educational gaps between native- and immigrant-origin children in France, Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and the United States raise concerns about the performance of systems with very different characteristics. Yet all is not hopeless: Some modest policies seem to bring amelioration, and each system can learn from others.