Final answer:
Transitioning to a school with fewer students of the same ethnic background is associated with decreased academic achievement, greater feelings of isolation, and a higher likelihood of dropping out among Black and Latino students, but not increased self-esteem.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the effects of transitioning to a school where the proportion of students from the same ethnic background is lower than it had been at their previous school on Black and Latino students. Studies have shown that such transitions are associated with several outcomes, but not necessarily an increase in self-esteem. In fact, transitions to schools with fewer peers of the same ethnicity have been associated with decreased academic achievement, greater feelings of isolation, and a higher likelihood of dropping out. This is contrasted with findings from Inez Beverly Prosser, who noted that African American children in segregated schools exhibited more positive self-concepts. Moreover, the stresses of such transitions could be mitigated by the presence of bilingual education programs, which have been shown to help ease the transition to American public schools for non-English-speaking students. However, economic constraints and policy decisions, such as those during the Reagan administration, have limited access to these programs, exacerbating educational inequalities.