It’s no secret that inequality in the classroom is a huge issue in American schools. With a simple Google search, anyone can find countless studies that focus on the many ways our students are treated unfairly, especially when compared to those in other countries. Unfortunately, the problem runs the gamut from racial disparities and socioeconomic status, to gender inequality, and everything in between.
For teachers, it’s just another challenge to fight back against when it comes to planning classroom routines and curriculum. It can be argued that individual educators don’t have a whole lot of control over the situation because factors stemmed from income inequality and school funding are fundamental societal issues.
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But believe it or not, there are many ways a teacher can reduce the level of inequity in schools by focusing on any potential inequality in their own classrooms.
Inequity Versus Inequality: What’s the Difference?
To go any further, it’s necessary to discuss in depth the difference between these commonly misunderstood and confused words. When it comes to equity and inequity, we are talking about words that refer to the injustice or unfairness that exists within school policies or classroom procedures.
For example, research recognizes that students who are from low-income families often have unequal opportunities for education, often being forced to attend underfunded schools without the same number and quality of resources compared to other schools. The outrage that we feel when we understand these facts is the inequity or unfairness of the situation occurring.
Inequality, on the other hand, refers to only the imbalance that exists in classrooms, without the connotation of unfairness or injustice. An example of inequality would simply be the data that shows that many schools in low-income areas are underfunded, as this illustrates the imbalance between funding of high- and low-income schools. The realization that this is unfair is where equity comes into play.Once we understand the difference a conversation is possible about how to fix issues that occur in the classroom at the micro level.
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Strategies to Challenge Inequality in the Classroom
As mentioned above, inequality in the classroom comes in many forms, most of which are due to old teaching practices that have been passed down for ages. Let’s take a closer look at what these are, and how to fix it in your classroom.
Arguably, one of the most important aspects of teaching is building positive relationships with kids so they feel safe in the classroom and cared about by adults. Think about it this way: nobody likes to be treated differently because of the color of their skin, their ability or intelligence level, gender, or interests. Indeed, many students have grown up thinking that some teachers simply did not like them, or that they at least liked others more because of a factor outside of their control.
Keep this issue out of the classroom by making it a priority to forge a positive relationship with all students, setting personal feelings aside. Work to make all feel seen, heard, and understood.
Check Yourself and Model Acceptance and Tolerance
Whether we like to admit it or not, everyone has their own prejudices to dispel. This very human trait is one that we all need to contend with, so the best place to start is with looking inward at ourselves. Sometimes we use common colloquialisms like, “boys will be boys”. With this as an example, when thinking about this saying more deeply, we can see that such a popular phrase can actually be used as a double standard to enable boys to get away with certain negative behaviors, while no such phrase exists for girls. Such an innocent-seeming phrase can actually promote gender bias.
This means that all educators should reevaluate what they say and do in the classroom. Do you call on certain students more often because you know they will likely know the answer? Do you use gender neutral language to address everyone, instead referring to the whole group as “you guys”? Think deeply and set up the classroom so that all kids can participate equally, and model acceptance and tolerance in words and body language.
Ensure Lessons Embrace and Teach Diversity
Teachers often don’t have the ability to choose their own curriculum, as this is handed down by the larger district and are governed by state or Common Core standards. Even so, instructors do have the ability to customize lessons for their classes. No matter the demographic teachers serve, all lessons should embrace diversity and normalize different cultures and customs.
And don’t merely limit this to just social studies lessons! Represent and support children by providing diverse names in math word problems and choose class readings that promote cultural awareness. For each subject across the curriculum, carefully choose the materials to be used so that all students feel seen.
Reevaluate Grouping Strategies and Tracking
For many years, tracking has been a gold standard in education, especially when it comes to middle and high school students. Tracking is essentially ability grouping that is done on a larger scale, and often places children who perform at similar levels into “houses” or “pods”. At the elementary level, it looks more like placing kids into ability groups for certain subjects, like reading or math.
While this might seem like a great idea because it places kids into manageable groups that the teacher can help at their level, imagine being a student who was placed in the lowest ability group. This practice can be humiliating for students who realize more than we think! It also reinforces the idea that some learners are “smart” and others are “dumb”, discouraging children at all levels from achieving more than they believe they can or should.
Lastly, when placed into ability groups, students are unable to learn from others outside their own grouping. Kids can learn a lot more from peers who are ahead, and all children should learn to work with each other because nobody is the same, and that’s okay.
Teachers can fight back against this common teaching practice by varying their grouping strategies throughout the school year, using different models for units and projects as they see fit. Allow all students to learn from one other to create a more equal experience.
Avoid the Classroom Behavior Clip Chart
Think about the business world. When adults gather for a meeting, if someone talks out of turn or becomes unfocused, does the boss turn around and write the name of that person on a white board with a frowny face? Of course not! This form of shaming would never occur in the adult world yet happens all the time in the form of behavior clip charts in elementary classrooms across the country. If adults would never treat each other in this humiliating way, why would anyone want to do this to kids?
Many teachers still turn to behavioral charts or color-coded discipline systems to “teach” kids how to act in class. While students do need to learn how to behave in a group setting, it can be done in a way that doesn’t disproportionately shame and embarrass them amongst their peers. Doing so can make kids feel like they are inherently “bad”, while others who don’t get “into trouble” are “good” or “well behaved”. Avoid using whole-class behavioral systems such as those described above. Instead, focus on positive reinforcement like token systems.
Use Assessments to Gain Insight, Not Punish
Assessments should be used to help teachers measure growth and plan for reteaching, but society puts a lot of stock into letter grades, which can be used to penalize children who don’t perform as high. Instead of utilizing tests as the high-stakes summative assessments, incorporate formative assessment into your unit to measure growth in an authentic way, to ensure that all students feel worthy and not diminished by their grades.
As you can see, it’s possible to lessen the inequity in schools by focusing on the inequalities kids face in the classroom at the local level. Use the tips above to enhance your teaching and grow as an educator. In the meantime, turn to Kids Academy for the highest quality learning resources like games, worksheets, and apps to supplement your lessons with exciting and equitable content!
Eliminate Policies and Practices that Contribute to Failure
Eliminate grade repetition. Avoid early tracking and defer student selection to upper secondary. Manage school choice to avoid segregation and increased inequities. Make funding strategies responsive to students' and schools' needs.
What Is Classroom Equity? Classroom equity happens when all students are respected and included, regardless of their background or abilities. Each student should be given the tools needed to achieve academic success, and the unique talents and abilities of each individual should be celebrated and encouraged.
Inequity is defined as lack of justice or fairness. If two people commit the same crime and one gets convicted and the other doesn't because he can afford to hire a better lawyer, this is an example of inequity.
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
Inequality is about the disparity of access to educational resources between different social groups. Some examples of these resources include school funding, experienced and qualified educators, books, technologies and school facilities such as sports and recreation.
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
inequality is the unequal distribution of academic resources, including but not limited to; school funding, qualified and experienced teachers, books, and technologies to socially excluded communities.
Answer: Such issues include ensuring gender equality within the educational
educational
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
system by revising teaching materials, teacher training curricula and classroom decorations; ensuring equal funding for girls' and boys' sports; and addressing the ways in which boys often receive much more classroom attention than girls.
Diversity in K-12 Classrooms. Diversity recognizes the differences between people and includes different factors, such as religion, political orientation, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, ethnicity, language, socio-economic status, and family structure.
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
can be found in teachers who are able to adapt their teaching style to match a student's learning capabilities. Some students thrive as auditory learners, who process information out loud and ask questions as needed.
We need students to trust us to share their thoughts and ideas with us. If they don't, we won't know what our students need. We should make sure that our students feel safe in the classroom so they can focus on learning. Every student deserves to feel safe, welcome, and comfortable in the classroom.
Equality focuses on what is fair within the group.Equity highlights what is fair for the individual. In public education
education
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
, both group and individual needs are important. All students should have equal access to high quality education and once they get it, they should be afforded equitable supports to achieve success.
Help children get to know, recognize, and support one another as valued members of the community. Take care that no one feels bullied, invisible, or unnoticed. building on their knowledge and skills. Embrace children's cultural experiences and the languages and customs that shape their learning.
"Inequity and inequality: these terms are sometimes confused, but are not interchangeable, inequity refers to unfair, avoidable differences arising from poor governance, corruption or cultural exclusion while inequality simply refers to the uneven distribution of health or health resources as a result of genetic or ...
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
are a type of sex discrimination in the education system affecting both men and women during and after their educational experiences. Men are more likely to be literate on a global average, although higher literacy scores for women are prevalent in many countries.
And this widening of income inequality is said to negatively affect higher education
education
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
Background. Alphabet, the parent company of the multinational technology company Google, has over 100,000 full-time employees internationally, in addition to contract employees. About half of Google's total workers are contractors, known internally as "TVCs": temps, vendors, and contractors.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Google_worker_organization
Students should be given admission in school without any discrimination of superior or inferior. ...
The Government has taken several measures to ensure that students from different state of the society get an opportunity to study in private schools too through RTE (Right to Education) Act.
A teacher must therefore constantly be aware of the fact that his/her action, attitude, approaches, manner will help to shape the child's gender role. For the teacher to bring about change in the society, they should be given pre-hand knowledge over the issue of gender bias.
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
need to have gender awareness to be open to girls' and boys' choices in learning and development, help children explore who they are, and make connections to people around them, as well as gain self-confidence, well-being, peer acceptance, and social support.
To combat gender bias in public education, educators, parents, and communities should create programs that: Celebrate girls' strong identity. Respect girls as central players. Connect girls to caring adults.
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
diversity helps students to counter discriminatory stereotypes by understanding a variety of social groups and cultures. That puts them in a better position of making connections from their own lives to those of their peers.
Help children get to know, recognize, and support one another as valued members of the community. Take care that no one feels bullied, invisible, or unnoticed. building on their knowledge and skills. Embrace children's cultural experiences and the languages and customs that shape their learning.
This means that each student has access to the same quality of education
education
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
All children have the right to equitable learning opportunities that help them achieve their full potential as engaged learners and valued members of society. Thus, all early childhood educators
educators
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
Parents can support their efforts to teach diversity and inclusion by getting actively involved. Get involved in the classroom. Help plan learning activities and field trips that expose kids to new experiences and points of view. Volunteer to find diverse guest speakers for the classroom or school assemblies.
Equity is the ownership of any asset after any liabilities associated with the asset are cleared. For example, if you own a car worth $25,000, but you owe $10,000 on that vehicle, the car represents $15,000 equity. It is the value or interest of the most junior class of investors in assets.
Equality focuses on what is fair within the group.Equity highlights what is fair for the individual. In public education
education
Teacher education or teacher training refers to the policies, procedures, and provision designed to equip (prospective) teachers with the knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, approaches, methodologies and skills they require to perform their tasks effectively in the classroom, school, and wider community.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Teacher_education
, both group and individual needs are important. All students should have equal access to high quality education and once they get it, they should be afforded equitable supports to achieve success.
Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circ*mstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome.
Diversity in K-12 Classrooms. Diversity recognizes the differences between people and includes different factors, such as religion, political orientation, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, ethnicity, language, socio-economic status, and family structure.
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