FDU: Experiment Shows What’s Needed to Get Voters to See Segregation in New Jersey

Key points

• New Jersey ranks among the most segregated states in the nation for school racial and ethnic segregation
• FDU Poll surveys over nearly a decade have tracked voter awareness and attitudes toward segregation in New Jersey
• An FDU experiment identifies specific factors needed to make voters recognize segregation as a significant problem
• School segregation in New Jersey is comparable to segregation levels found in deep Southern states
• Public awareness and perception of segregation differs significantly from documented reality

FAQ

How segregated are New Jersey schools compared to other states?

New Jersey is among the most segregated states in the US for school racial and ethnic segregation, with segregation levels comparable to deep South states like Alabama and Mississippi according to national reports.

What does the FDU experiment reveal about voter awareness?

The FDU experiment shows that voters often fail to recognize New Jersey's segregation problem, and identifies specific information and messaging factors needed to increase public awareness and perception of this issue.

How long has FDU been tracking this issue?

Fairleigh Dickinson University has conducted Poll surveys about segregation in New Jersey for nearly a decade, tracking how voters perceive and understand the state's segregation challenges.