Protection or Segregation? Indigenous Education in Mexico

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Global Issues in Education Policy and Practice (Table 13)

Abstract

This project investigates the educational access of linguistic minorities, focusing on indigenous populations in Mexico. Addressing trade-offs in indigenous education, we assess the impact of Indigenous Bilingual Education (IBE) on cognitive outcomes and well-being. By investigating the potential benefits of mother tongue instruction and a culturally friendly environment against challenges such as a scarcity of well-trained indigenous teachers and the risk of segregation, the study employs advanced econometric techniques. The analysis considers not only the language policy regarding the medium(s) of instruction, but also the different ethnic composition of classrooms and its consequences for cognitive achievements and emotional well-being among ethnically diverse students. Findings aim to inform policies that navigate the complex trade-off between linguistic diversity and educational outcomes.

Author

• Ornella Darova, University of Pennsylvania