The Costs of Conflict

The survey, “The Costs of Conflict, The Fiscal Impact of Culturally Divisive Conflicts on Public Schools in the United States,” examines the societal and fiscal cost of culturally divisive conflicts that have wracked schools in recent years, such as those over LGBTQ+ issues, teaching about race and racism, and efforts to ban books.

Conducted by a team of researchers at UCLA, the University of Texas at Austin, American University, and UC Riverside, the survey offers insight into the level and frequency of conflicts and the personal toll and disruptive impact on school districts of misinformation and hostile and violent rhetoric and threats.