School Segregation & racism. Family´s school “choice”?

Abstract

This study aims to know the reasons why families select schools for their children. It is part of a broader research on Democracy in School (R+d+i). This article tries to make visible situations of racism in school, and how families mediated by their ethnic origin make decisions. It is a phenomenological study carried out with parents from ten public school in a town in the Community of Madrid, belonging to the Parents Associations. The results shown here belong to a case in Early Childhood and Primary Education, in which the main reason for choice is proximity to home for socioeconomic reasons, as well as family expectations. It shows that the system fails in the inclusion, the alternative of the change does not exist, there are not several options for the choice. Exclusion and harassment force ethnic segregation beyond the family criteria for schooling. Let us remember that SDG4 promote an inclusive and equitable quality education without distinction of colour, race, among others. And, that SDG10.2. promotes social inclusion, regardless of ethnicity, race….