Diversity – the inclusion of people of different races, cultures, etc. in a group or organization.
What does diversity look like in Rowan County?
According to the United States Census Bureau:
- Persons under five years of age are 5.8% of the population
- Persons under eighteen make up 22.1% of the population
The majority of Rowan County’s population is made up of:
- White, non-Hispanic (72.4%)
- Black or African American (15.9%)
- Hispanic (4.96%).
DataUSA found:
- Individuals with a disability (under 65 years old) make up 11.1% of the Rowan County population.
- 13.6% of Rowan County residents (under 65 years old) are without health insurance.
- 9.1% of persons five years or older speak a language other than English at home.
- Between 2014 and 2018, 85.7% of households had a computer.
- And 76.6% of households had broadband internet.
How does this relate to Rowan-Salisbury Schools?
- For the 2021 school year, there are 36 public schools in Rowan-Salisbury Schools School District, serving 19,340 students.
- Minority enrollment is 42% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic)
- The North Carolina public school average minority enrollment is 52%.
According to Rowan Salisbury School System:
“Our students are guided through a CCRP learning model where instruction is Connected, Collaborative, Relevant, and Personal.”
Why is diversity important in the classroom?
In 2014, US public schools had more Latino, African-American, and Asian students than white students. In addition to race, there has been increased diversity in ethnicity, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and language background. Therefore, incorporating multicultural awareness can benefit all students. This ensures students of all backgrounds feel included and confident. Additionally, diversity in schools teaches students awareness, empathy, open-mindedness, and acceptance. Overall, diversity in schools and classrooms prepares students for living in a diverse world.
What can we do to provide multicultural awareness in schools?
- Teachers, staff, and administration spend time getting to know all students
- Maintain communication with students and families
- Celebrate and respect diversity of all students
- Encourage collaboration between students in a culturally sensitive environment
- Incorporate diversity into curriculum through real-world issues
References:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversity
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/rowancountynorthcarolina/PST045219
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/rowan-county-nc/#demographics
-Megan Huffman
