Sharyn O’Halloran serves as the George Blumenthal Professor of Political Economics at Columbia University. Outside of work, Sharyn O’Halloran remains involved with her community through several organizations, including New York Appleseed. New York City has among the most segregated school systems in the country, and this organization fights to change this fact.
Diversity and inclusion in the classroom have many benefits for all students. Academically, more diverse school systems have higher rates of college enrollment and higher average test scores. Diverse schools can help close racial achievement gaps while giving all students the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need for success later in life.
Civically, diverse classrooms reduce racial bias and help eliminate common stereotypes. Students in racially inclusive school systems have greater self-confidence and demonstrate stronger leadership skills. Also, students from these school systems tend to seek out integrated environments throughout their lives.
Economically, racial inclusion is an effective and inexpensive way of improving academic performance. Students who learn in diverse environments are better prepared to take part in the increasingly diverse global marketplace.