How all students can belong and achieve: Effects of the cultural diversity climate amongst students of immigrant and nonimmigrant background in Germany.

Educational Impact and Implications Statement—As schools are becoming more culturally diverse, it is crucial to understand how they can approach this diversity in ways that allow all students to feel included and do well. Schools may prevent ethnic discrimination and promote good relations between students from different cultural groups (e.g., by encouraging mixed seating arrangements and diverse work groups in class). Also, schools may communicate the value of diversity to students (e.g., by providing opportunities for students to learn about different cultures and ethnic groups). We found that students at culturally diverse schools in Germany who perceived that both approaches were followed at their school experienced a greater sense of belonging at school, had better grades and were more satisfied with their lives. Interestingly, this was true both for students of immigrant background and for students from the cultural majority. So, dealing with cultural diversity in a constructive way may help all students to feel and do well, regardless of their cultural background. Raising awareness among teachers and educational decision-makers about the benefits of these constructive approaches, and discussing with them how to implement these is an important step to promote student well-being and achievement in culturally diverse schools. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)