Commentary; Posted: 8/13/03

Ethnic diversity can help education

Joe Nathan
Guest Columnist

What group of Minnesotans increased in number by 83 percent over the last decade? What group increased by 185 percent?

The latest census figures, released this week, give the answers. And I think the news is good for Minnesotaís dollars and cents.

Statewide, the number of Minnesotans between 1990 and 2000 grew as follows:

ïThe number of white people increased by 7 percent.

ïThe number of Asian Americans increased by 83 percent (and the number of Hmong increased 143 percent).

ïThe number of Hispanic-Americans increased 185 percent.

Suburbs like Anoka, Burnsville, Eagan, Rosemount and Apple Valley are becoming more racially diverse. Thatís good news for our schools, communities ó and for those of us who plan to retire at some point.

Some years ago, there were 20 people paying into Social Security for every person who was receiving these funds. The ratio has since dropped, becoming 10-1, and then 5-1.

Whoís going to pay taxes to support schools, retirement, roads, etc? The people who are working.

Letís be really crass and talk about dollars. Median family income for whites between 1990 and 2000 went up 19 percent, to $48,288. Over the same period, median family income for Hmong families went up 132 percent (from $15,489, to $35,864), and median family income for Cambodians went up 182 percent (from $14,127 to $39,858).

So while Asian Americans, on average, still earn less than whites, the gap is narrowing. As Lee Pao Xiong, head of the Urban Coalition told me, ìour people are moving from dependent to independent. This is good news for all Minnesotans.î Heís right.

Immigration offers another benefit. Communities that are attracting immigrant families often have small or even nonexistent enrollment declines in their schools. Talk to any school administrator about managing a reduction in the number of students at a school ó itís extremely challenging.

Teaching young people who don't speak English in the home has its own challenges. But for generations, schools in this country have had to do this ó educating, for example, young people whose families came from Italy, Sweden, Germany or Finland.

Having a more racially diverse community can make us more like a great salad ó with various ingredients, adding to the overall quality.

Some years ago I attended a wedding in western Minnesota. The talk among my hosts turned to racial diversity in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

One of them smiled: ìYou know, Joe, out here, weíre not talking about black, or brown people. Out here [in rural Minnesota] diversity means Catholics and Protestants.î

Our youngsters attended school with people from other countries and other races. I wonít lie. Sometimes there are misunderstandings and disagreements. But on balance, our youngsters feel theyíve learned an enormous amount from students whose families come from other parts of the world.

Educationally and economically, Minnesota gains a lot from immigrants. Over the last 100 years, progress came faster when people reached out to newcomers.

Can your religious group, school or community group ease the transition? By helping others, we often end up helping ourselves.

The writer is senior fellow and directs the Center for School Change which seeks to help transform public education and to produce significant improvements in student achievement. He has been a public school teacher and administrator and coordinated the National Governors Association education reform project. He offices at the Humphrey Center.

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