EDUC 2301: Introduction to Special Populations Spring Creek Campus, I-111 Dr. Nita Thomason A Changing Society Diversity Matters

Culture “Students who feel their culture is valued and understood by the school and the larger community tend to do better in school than those who feel it is rejected.” It is important that educators understand, respect, value, and embrace diverse cultural perspectives and ways of being in the world (Ashworth, 1992, p. 14). ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Define culture. Culture, as the term is used in this text, refers to: “characteristic[(s)] of ([an)] individual’s society, or some subgroups within the society... ([it]) includes, values, beliefs, notions about acceptable and unacceptable behavior, and other socially constructed ideas that members of the culture are taught are true. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

The Reality of Social Change Two major social changes affecting education are taking place: –Changes in demographics –Changes in social institutions 4

Form Homogeneous Group of 6 based on one of the following characteristics Race Social Class Sex/Gender Disability Religious Affiliation Immigrant

For Reflection and Discussion What messages have you received about: –ways different facial groups are treated –what sexual orientations are acceptable –what it means to be male and female –the importance of amassing wealth –how disabilities are viewed –what “making it” means –how religious affiliation impacts respect ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Demographics in Transition Three factors resulting in changing demographics: –High immigration rates –High birthrates among some segments of the population –Aging population 7

Institutions in Transition A social institution is a formal, recognized, established, and stabilized way of pursuing some important activity in society. Social institutions provide rules, or social norms, that become internalized in individuals. When institutions change, so do the norms they provide. 8

Changes in Institutions In today’s world, all social institutions are experiencing fundamental change: –Economics—globalization –Politics—new alignments of nations –Family—new forms of family life –Religion—confusion and controversy surrounding the role of religion in public education and in the public square 9

Changes in Economics and Politics Economically, there has been a shift from: –Loyalty to a single company to loyalty to one’s own self-interest –A national to a global focus Politically, there has been a shift from: –Political interest within our own borders to interest in political events around the world 10

Changes in the Family More women are in the workforce. The divorce rate is high. More families are in poverty. New family “forms” are becoming common (e.g., single-parent families, blended families). More intermarriage between ethnic and religious groups. 11

Changes in Religious Organizations Immigrants are bringing unfamiliar religions and religious ideas to the society. Various “new age” religious affiliations are emerging. There is a rise in fundamentalist religious groups in all major religions. Religious groups are becoming important “players” in the political arena, both in the US and globally. Gaps of understanding of religion are evident between younger generation and the older generation, as well as between various religious groups 12

Schools as a Reflection of Social Change Changing demographics among students –Increasing number of children of color –Increasing numbers of children whose first language is not English –Increasing inclusion of children with disabilities in classrooms –Increasing attention to differential treatment of boys and girls in classrooms –Increasing religious diversity within communities 13

Define race. Race is thought to be a concept used to classify people according to physical characteristics, such as skin and eye pigmentation, facial features, shape of head, and texture of body hair (Hernandez, 1989). Yet in reality race is first and foremost a social construction. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Race Race is a social construct with social relevance that is used to elevate a dominant group while oppressing others. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

What is Racial Identity Development? Racial identity development is the extent one understands racial disparity in society and the extent to which one is comfortable with her/his own and other racial groups. Identify qualities that characterize the stages of white and minority racial identity development. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

What is SES? Social class or socioeconomic status (SES) is the term used to distinguish a person’s position in society relative to others within that society. Parental occupation, education level, political power, and income serve as the basis for a student’s SES. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

What are SES effects? Class distinctions determine: the location, safety, comfort, and convenience of homes and neighborhoods in which we live; the quality of the healthcare and schooling we receive; the worldviews we hold; and how we relate to others in society. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Are males and females treated differently in the U.S.? Are feminine and masculine characteristics and behaviors valued differently in the United States. When people adhere to traits such as emotionality, nurturance, and delicacy, are they devalued and systematically disadvantaged in society. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

In what ways does sexism exist in schools and affect achievement according to Spradlin? Even successful female students have: less confidence in their abilities, higher expectations of failure, habits of dependency, negative attribution styles, weakened leadership skills, and more modest occupational aspirations than boys do. Girls are less likely, therefore, to reach their potential than boys. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Another Perspective – Raising Cain: Boys in Focus/ Thompson Documentary American Boys Are in Trouble. –Unable to express emotions –Doing worse in the classroom than previously Who is Responsible How can we guide boys on the path to becoming responsible and caring men?

What is sexual identity and sexual orientation? Sexual identity is the degree to which we identify with the social and biological aspects of being a man or a woman. Sexual orientation is an integral part of sexual identity and is defined by who we are emotionally and/or to whom we are physically attracted. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Define disability. The medical model definition focuses on individuals’ functional limitations (impairments) and identifies impairments as the cause of disadvantages experienced. The social model, in contrast, identifies disabling social, environmental, and attitudinal barriers rather than individuals’ so called “lack of ability” as the cause of disadvantages experienced. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Marginalization and Privilege 1.What is marginalization? - Acculturation - Assimilation 2.What are the effects of privilege in schools? 3.How is marginalization evidence in schools? - Ethnocentrism - Prejudice - Oppression ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Identify four types of racism. Individual racism Institutional racism Cultural racism Aversive racism ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Affirmative Action Federal contractors are required to take affirmative action to ensure that all applicants, without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, were hired and treated fairly in their employment and to use every effort necessary to implement strategies that would result in equal employment opportunities for historically disadvantaged groups. ©2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.