Cultural Diversity, Students' Academic Achievement and Civic Engagement: A Basis for a Proposed Multicultural Inclusive School Policy

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Schools without a multicultural inclusive policy endanger students' academic achievement, civic engagement, and culture. Multicultural education practices emphasize curriculum integration, pedagogy and recognition of minorities leaving the total school environment unconcerned. Moreover, teachers are misguided and likely to have no interest to integrate multiculturalism. This research identified any differences in the academic achievement and civic engagement of multicultural students to form the basis for multicultural inclusive policy.

METHODS

Using a descriptive research design, the researchers devised a questionnaire and employed Focused Group Discussion among the 242 respondents clustered into Ilocano 84, Tagalog 53, Ifugao 65, Igorot 22, and Aklanon 18 to gather data. This study is concerned to know if there are significant differences in the academic performance and civic engagement of the respondents in terms of ethnicity, family monthly income, and sex. Summary analysis of the conducted tests and interviews was enabled through the use of frequency count, weighted mean, independent sample t-test, one way ANOVA, and eta squared. The focused group discussion was employed to identify the problems encountered by the respondents as they pursue desired academic achievement and civic engagement and to qualify the data gathered.

RESULTS

Ethnicity, general average, family monthly income, and sex yielded no significant difference in the students' civic engagement both in the school and in the community while the only ethnicity provided a significant difference in the students' academic achievement. Further, students admitted that they don't see their culture is reflected in the total school environment contrary to their desires and that the majority of them don't know their culture. Additionally, there are forms of hostilities happening among different cultural groups.

Results also revealed that students would be more motivated to learn and at ease in understanding the lessons if their culture is being integrated into the curriculum and in the school environment.

DISCUSSIONS

Making a multicultural inclusive school policy a commitment to reform total school environment will close the increasing achievement gap due to cultural diversity and will enhance civic engagement among multicultural students while allowing their culture to be preserved and promoted in a pluralistic society.