President's Viewpoint
Are You Ready?

'Celebrating diversity' must be more than happy talk. It is how we prepare young people for the future.

For many of America's best public schools, "Celebrate Diversity" isn't just a slogan, it is a way of life. This is also extremely demanding work. We shouldn't gloss over the challenges of educating a richly diverse student population.

Let's be frank, sometimes diversity can also bring adversity--for example, when a handicapped child suffers a medical emergency in our classroom. Or when a teacher must break up a racially charged dispute in the hallway. Or when several kids in our classroom can't speak English.

And yet--no question about it--we also take enormous pride in the diversity of our public schools. Why? Because our schools refuse to exclude; we insist on including every child, from the most gifted to the most challenging. Because we know that teaching young people to cooperate and excel in a diverse setting is a hugely important lesson in and of itself. And because our public schools are one of the few remaining institutions that bring together Americans of all colors, classes, cultures, and faiths.

My point, simply, is that diversity is not easy. But when it works--when students and educators seize on diversity as a strength--we then have a superior, "real world" learning environment.

A good example is T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia, just across the Potomac from where I live and work. "T.C."--as everyone calls it--is one of the most respected, comprehensive high schools in the country. And a big reason for the school's success is its rich urban diversity.

At T.C., there is no such thing as a "majority" racial or ethnic group. Black kids, white kids, brown kids, yellow kids--they are all "minorities." Included in the mix are hundreds of immigrant students from more than 50 nations.

Nearly 90 percent of T.C.'s students go on to college or university. The Science Bowl team--a rainbow of native-born and immigrant kids--is the school's special pride. For two years running, T.C. has placed first in the state in the prestigious national Science Bowl competition. When T.C.'s triumphs are announced over the p.a., classrooms throughout the school erupt in cheers. (Hats off to Dr. Manu Patel, team coach and physics teacher--and NEA member since 1976.)

In short, T.C. Williams works. Its terrific teachers and support staff strive every day to build a climate of inclusiveness and respect. As one student told me: "We all get along--all of us. If anyone tried to act racist or to hurt someone, the other kids just wouldn't allow it."

As educators and parents, we ask ourselves: How is the best way to prepare our children for the future? Bear in mind that the United States is rapidly becoming the world's first truly multiethnic, multicultural country. The Census Bureau projects that, by the year 2030, the African-American population will grow by 68 percent, the Asian-American population by 79 percent, and the Hispanic-American population by an amazing 187 percent. America's majority white population soon will be just one more minority.

A new world is emerging--and it is all about diversity.

As Cisco Systems asks in its ubiquitous TV ads: "Are you ready?" Students at T.C. Williams--and at public schools across America--have a proud, hard-earned answer: "Yes we are!"

Comments? You can E-mail Bob Chase at BobChase@nea.org. If you would like a response, please be sure to include your name and NEA local affiliate.