Race relations in schools: The effects of competition and hierarchy on education, sports participation, and standardized test scores

Abstract

I investigate the influence of race upon high school student's approaches to education, sports participation, and high school test scores. The theoretical perspective employed suggest that the effect of race upon these items will vary across schools. To explain this school level variation, I employ two theories of race relations: competition theory and the cultural division of labor perspective. Using the National Longitudinal and Educational Study of 1988 (NELS: 88) and multilevel model statistical procedures, support for both theories is found. I conclude that race relations in schools impact student's cultural activities and test scores.