As teachers we must be equitable in our classrooms and in everyday life. In the article 'Raising Expectations is Aim of New effort' researchers and policy makers state that they have been noticing a soft bigotry of low expectations. This takes place in schools everyday where teachers and administrators have preconceived notions about how a child learns and what they know based on their race or social economic background. This is why as teachers we need to be equitable in our classrooms. Understanding where our students come from and making those connections will allow for a greater learning environment where there is no biases or stereotypes.
In states like California, Georgia, New Jersey, and Connecticut they are using professional development to make the connections with their students to eliminate bias and stereotypes. For example this professional development course teaches students to think critically about how they learn and are taught. This allows teachers the ability to see what students take from their lessons and the students are able to see what it takes to teach. Some teachers realized that their students were not coming up with wrong answers because they didn't understand but because they have a different view of the world. The big challenge was being able to implement this program in the classroom.
The schools implemented this professional development lesson into the classroom by having students that were in the 6th grade teach students that where in the 5th grade. This allowed the students to experience a real life situation where they had to teach. Then the 6th grade students and their teachers here able to sit down the following day and reflect on their experiences.
I believe that this program that was introduced in these States allows teachers to be equitable in the classroom. Teachers will have the ability to see how their students learn and understand what is being taught to them. You will also be able to make a deeper personal connection with your students when you allow them to be apart of the learning process. When your students feel like they belong and have power over what they learn, then you have created a fun learning environment.
Core curricula and standards-based outcomes presents itself as the most equitable education. Every student receives the same content and every student is held to the same expectations.
ReplyDeleteThis model eliminates the biases of teachers and the unfair allocation of effort from teachers on certain but not all students.
So, is there anything wrong with this view?
Thanks.