The document discusses diversity and inclusion at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA). It outlines five challenges: 1) assembling a multicultural community, 2) educating about multicultural education, 3) realizing the benefits of diversity, 4) integrating diverse perspectives, and 5) developing students' potential. It notes that diversity has benefits like improved critical thinking and creativity. The document advocates expanding admissions criteria to consider more than just test scores to increase opportunities for underrepresented groups.

1. Diversity at IMSA: Opportunities and Challenges around Race Andrew Grant-Thomas, Deputy Director Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy February 13, 2009

2. Diversity at IMSA: Five Challenges and Opportunities Assembling a multicultural community Educating members about the value of multicultural education Realizing the benefits of cultural diversity Integrating lessons and insights across diverse disciplines Developing and invoking the best of our (diverse) possible selves

3. Diversity at IMSA: Five Challenges and Opportunities Assembling a multicultural community Educating members about the value of multicultural education Realizing the benefits of cultural diversity Integrating lessons and insights across diverse disciplines Developing and invoking the best of our (diverse) possible selves

4. I. Realizing the Benefits of Cultural Diversity

5. In Your Words… “ Appreciation, affirmation, inclusion” – so all can contribute “ Appreciation, affirmation, inclusion” – so all can enjoy “ Diversity in community inspires discovery and creativity” “ Diverse perspectives enrich understanding” “ Build the capacity of IMSA faculty and staff to meet the needs…”

6. Benefits of Racial Diversity in Education: All Students More tolerant and inclusive viewpoints Reduced intergroup prejudice Improved intercultural competence Enhanced critical thinking and integrative complexity More creativity and intellectual confidence Higher levels of parental involvement More productive workplace relationships with other-race people Less residential segregation Source: Brief of 553 Social Scientists, Parents Involved

7. Benefits of Racial Diversity in Education: Nonwhite Students Modest positive achievement gains for black and Latino students (no negative impact on test scores of white students) Higher-quality resources (funding, class size, rigorous coursework, teachers) More qualified teachers and less teacher turnover Higher HS graduation rates Richer social and professional networks Higher income for African Americans Source: Brief of 553 Social Scientists, Parents Involved

8. The Logic of Diversity Diversity of Identity, Beliefs, Experiences Diverse Perspectives Better Outcomes Source: Scott Page, “A Logic of Diversity II” (available online)

9. Diversity or Ability: A Test Group 1: Best 20 individual problem-solvers Group 2: Random 20 problem-solvers Have each group work collectively - when one person gets stuck, another group member tries to find a further improvement. Group stops when no one can find a better solution.

10. Toolbox View ABD EZ AHK FD Alpha Group Diverse Group ADE BCD ABC BCD ACD BCD AEG IL

11. Multidisciplinary View Econ Soc Math Hist Alpha Group Diverse Group Econ Econ Econ Econ Econ Econ Polisci Bio

12. View Five Jim Phelps vs. MI Task Force

13. DIVERSITY TRUMPS ABILITY “ Most of the time” the diverse group outperforms the group of the “most talented” individuals by a substantial margin. See Lu Hong and Scott Page, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2002)

14. Our World Grows Increasingly Complex

15. Subprime Mortgage Securitization

16. II. Our Best Selves: Insights from Cognitive Science

17. “ No one’s path in life is predetermined” “ Each person has the potential to change and to bring about change” “ Liberate the genius and goodness of all children” Ability to assume, and examine world from, multiple perspectives “ Dimensions of being: individuals, learners, community members, citizens, leaders” In Your Words…

18. Our Minds Work in Curious Ways The Kanizsa Triangle

19. SPINNING GIRL

20. What colors are the following lines of text? Vqeb peow ytro Cvur zxyq brrm Vhrn wwte zytn Xoc jbni oew mne Zre ytu vee mkp

21. What colors are the following lines of text? Red Blue Black Green Brown

22. What colors are the following lines of text? Sky Grass Dirt Coal Stop sign

23. What colors are the following lines of text? Dirt Sunshine Sky Grass Stop sign

24. What colors are the following lines of text? Green Blue Brown Red Black

26. Implicit Association Test http://thesituationist.wordpress.com/2007/08/19/

27. What Would You Do?

28. Implicit Racial Bias: Behaviors Split-second police decisions about when and what to shoot Sentencing decisions for defendants convicted of felonies Comfort level and body language in interracial interactions Use of stereotypes to interpret ambiguous behavior Source: Dasgupta 2008

29. Racial Identity  Social Status

30. Racial Identity  Social Status

31. Reducing Implicit Bias Increasing exposure to positive models Working together in a structured environment to solve shared problems Teaching explicitly egalitarian views Practicing unbiased behaviors Learning to differentiate other-race faces (facial recognition training) Source: Dasgupta 2008

32. III. Assembling a Multicultural Community

33. “ race, ethnicity, geographic origins, gender, social class, religion, age, sexual orientation… regional cultures, beliefs, ideas, and visions…” “ Every student in the State of Illinois… highly talented and interested in mathematics and science, should have an opportunity to benefit from IMSA’s programs and services” “ Historically underrepresented populations in math, science, and technology” (elementary and middle school, high school students, faculty and staff); gifted… talented…high ability/high potential In Your Words…

35. Black and Latino Children are Greatly Overrepresented in the Poorest School Districts

36. Black and Latino Students in Chicago Public High Schools Less often Use Computers at Home (2005)

37. Mapping Black Male “Opportunity” in Metro Chicago Opportunity Indicators crime rates property values homeownership rates vacant properties adult poverty rates child poverty rates population change Opportunity Indicators (cont) unemployment median household income public assistance reading and math scores % low income students high school graduation rates high school dropout rates

39. Young white males (0-14) are 7 times more likely than young black males to live in high-opportunity areas

40. IMSA Admissions Criteria Illinois students enrolled in the equivalent of a 9th-grade program Demonstrated interest and talent in mathematics and science Grades Teacher evaluations SAT Reasoning test score Personal essays Leadership and co-curricular activities

41. SAT Math Scores Rise Incrementally with Family Income Source: http://www.fairtest.org/fairtests-reaction-release-2007-sat-scores

42. Rethinking Admissions? Four Possible Considerations Strivers Beauty School or Military? Democratic Merit Expanding Opportunity for All

43. IMSA Beliefs Everyone is a mystery with unknown and unknowable limits. All people have equal intrinsic worth. Personal success is internally defined. A person’s potential is most fully actualized through physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual harmony. No one’s path in life is predetermined. All people have choices and are responsible for their actions. Human progress depends on personal growth. Everyone can lead. Meaning is constructed by the learner. Learning never ends. The ability to discern and create connections is the essence of knowing. Belonging to a community requires commitment to the common good. Indifference diminishes individuals and communities. Trust and respect are vital for any relationship to thrive. Diversity in community inspires discovery and creativity. Diverse perspectives enrich understanding. We are all stewards of our planet. Great leaps forward require bold ideas and actions. Change is natural and necessary for greatness.

44. www.KirwanInstitute.org