Student Diversity Field Project ADMS 633 Fadiah Alraies Solitia Wilson Emily Kennedy

Diversity is… As defined by the National Education Association it is “the sum of the ways that people are both alike and different.” The various aspects include: Race-religion Class-mental abilities Ethnicity-physical abilities Gender-immigration status Sexual orientation- language Culture

Who did we ask about student diversity? Administrators, teachers and staff in Richmond City, Hanover County and Henrico County The interviewees include: Principals Special Education teachers ESL teachers Head Start teachers General Education teachers Paraprofessionals Resource teachers

“Student diversity is defined not only by race but by disability.” “Student diversity is differences between students and teachers.” “We are diverse in our cultural backgrounds, with students who speak over 20 different languages. We are also diverse in our abilities and family situations-- both economic and personal.” “Diversity reflects gender, race, socio-economic status, regional culture within a race, religion, sexual preference, marital status and so many other aspects of who we are as people.” “Students are diverse in many ways – skill levels, learning abilities, how they learn, and life outside of school (family, socioeconomic status)”

Richmond City The school that was interviewed has… Grades K students 50 faculty and staff 18:1 ratio a Title I program a K-5 Spanish program Student Ethnicity 82% Black 13% White 3% Hispanic 2 Asian students It is a fully accredited school!

Henrico County School 1 The school that was interviewed has… Grades Pre K – 5th 505 students 3 full time ESL teachers and a full time assistant a Title I program Student Ethnicity 211 ESL Students 34 Identified in Special Education 14% Asian 18% Black 26% Hispanic 5% Others 39% White 71% of students are free or reduced lunch School 2 The school that was interviewed has… Grades Pre K – students Student Ethnicity 23% Asian 21% Black 13% Hispanic 5% Others 6% disabilities 46% of students are free or reduced lunch

Hanover County The school that was interviewed has… Grades Pre K – 2nd 304 students 56 faculty and staff 19:1 ratio a Title I program Student Ethnicity 49% Black 43% White 8% Hispanic 5 Asian students 49% of students are free or reduced lunch

Diversity in the Curriculum Richmond City schedules a specific culture for classroom and encore teachers to incorporate into activities and lessons Henrico County- School 1 follows the WIDA Standards for ESL curriculum, as well as teaching across curricular concepts in the areas of reading, speaking, writing and listening. PRIME, Second Helping and Title I Henrico County- School 2 differentiation within curriculum was not evident Hanover County pull out ESL services are provided to students

Strategies that Support Diversity “it’s not about supporting diversity, it is about supporting the children-- all children that we teach” Richmond City has welcome signs that represent various cultures. offer school information in Spanish. Henrico County- School 1 works hard to communicate with the ESL population by providing translators, translated notes, workshops for parents and accommodations for students in the classroom. Henrico County- School 2 provides programs to educate diverse families, opportunities for families to understand the English language. Hanover County accommodates for one language barrier when sending home school-wide newsletters and general information.

In Closing… Diversity is addressed on a school by school basis. Students should drive the need for differentiation and diversity in the curriculum and what strategies are necessary. “it should be genuine-- we should avoid coming off as patronizing”