1. Teaching Today: An Introduction to Education 7th edition
Part 2: Learners and Their Needs
Chapter 5: Responding to Diversity
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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2. How Do We Achieve Diversity?
Do you agree with the basic premise that diversity in education is inherently important?
If a well-rounded education should include individuals from a variety of backgrounds, how can this be done in K–12 schools?
What do you see as the elements of a fair policy for achieving diversity in education?
LINK: How does this issue of giving credit to diversity candidates relate to other issues such as equal educational opportunities for all students?
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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3. America . . . the Melting Pot? the Mosaic?
Which concept do you prefer?
Multicultural Education—Education that promotes educational equity for all learners. (Banks and Banks, 2001)
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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4. Culturally Responsive Classroom Environments
Open and sensitive to learners’ knowledge, experience, values, and tastes
Use of alternative instructional techniques and materials
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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5. Culturally Responsive (cont.)
Use of alternative discussion formats that encourage more learner engagement and accept students’ native discourse
Acknowledge the legitimacy of cultural heritages of different ethnic groups
Development of ethnic and cultural pride
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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6. Multiculturalism and Learning
Teaching style reflects cultural influences
Different cultures have different ideas of what behaviors are “right” or suitable
Teacher demographics in many schools do not match learner demographics
Know your students as individuals so that you are sensitive to their needs.
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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7. Views on why students perform differently in school
Genetic deficit view—lack of intellectual tools to succeed
Cultural deficit view—failure of parents to provide stimulating home atmosphere
Communication process position—differences in language patterns creates barriers to understanding
School program issues—failure of schools to plan for the success of all learners
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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8. Desegregation and its influence on learners
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Milliken v. Bradley (1974)
Within-Individual-School Segregation
Achievement Gap Between Learner Groups
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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9. What do you think?
How would your own school experiences have differed if you had gone to a single-gender school?
What advantages and disadvantages do you see for single-gender schools?
Will the effort to establish single-gender schools detract from efforts to ensure that female learners are appropriately supported and challenged in coeducational schools? Why or why not?
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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10. For Teachers . . . Commit to the idea that all can learn.
Modify grouping practices.
Accommodate learning-style differences.
Know your perspectives.
Rely less on standardized tests.
Avoid favoritism.
Strive to be a high-quality teacher.
Armstrong, Henson, & Savage Teaching Today, 7th Edition
Copyright ©2005 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey All rights reserved.
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