Equity Initiatives Unit - Equitable Classroom Practices

Short Takes

“The teacher’s positive attention toward students results in positive academic changes. Hispanic students’ grades improved more than 10 % per year when students were given equal opportunity to respond and received individual help. Schoolwork turned in by students increased 15 % as a result of having equitable opportunities to respond in class (Bartley, et al, 1999).”

Los Angeles County Office of Education. (2002). Teacher Expectations Student Achievement (TESA): A staff development program for all teachers, coordinators manual. Downy, CA: Los Angeles County Office of Education. p. D-1.

“Much of the information about different cultural and ethnic heritages cannot be attained through reading books. Only through knowing, working with, and personal interactions with members of diverse groups can students really learn to value diversity, utilize it for creative problem solving, and develop an ability to work effectively with diverse peers. While information alone helps, it is only through direct and personal interaction among diverse individuals who develop personal as well as professional relationships with each other that such outcomes are realized.”

Johnson, D. W., & Johnson, R. T. (2008). Cooperative learning, values and culturally plural classrooms. Retrieved January 2008, from Cooperative Learning Center University of Minnesota website: http://www.co-operation.org/index.html

“Because cooperative learning groups encourage positive social interaction among students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, they have great potential to facilitate the building of cross-ethnic friendships and to reduce racial stereotyping, discrimination, and prejudice. When students work cooperatively, they have the opportunity to judge each other on merits rather than stereotypes (McLemore & Romo, 1998).”

Cooper, R. and Slavin, R. (Winter, 1999). Improving intergroup relations: Lessons learned from cooperative learning programs. Journal of Social Issues. Retrieved December 2008 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0341/is_4_55/ai_62521561/pg_3?tag=content;col1

“Probe questions should reflect different levels of cognitive complexity. …The questions at each level of cognitive complexity can vary in the demand they place on English language proficiency. . . . Thus, students can be assessed for their ability to respond to higher order questions even though they may have minimal skills in English.”

O’Malley, M. J., & Valdez Pierce, L. (Spring 1992). Performance and portfolio assessment for language minority students. NCBE Programs Information Guide Series, Number 9.

“Shade cites research that ties . . . differential treatment to the race of the student: ‘In schools when Anglo-European children ask questions, explore, and touch, the teachers see them as gifted and smart; however, when African American children demonstrate this behavior, they are perceived as disrespectful and as having behavioral problems. . . . Research studies have found that even if the [African American] children have been identified as gifted, teachers are more likely to give them less attention, less praise, and more negative responses.’

Equity Training and Development Team. (2008). The classroom is a sea of communication . . . Retrieved November 2008, from MCPS website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/development/teams/diversity/diversity.shtm

“In the critical-thinking sense of the term students with perspective expose questionable and unexamined assumptions, conclusions and implications. When a student has or can gain perspective, she can gain a critical distance from the habitual or knee-jerk beliefs, feelings, theories, and appeals that characterize less careful and circumspect thinkers.”

Wiggins, G. & Mctighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design. Alexandria, Virginia: ASCD. p. 53.

“One irrefutable fact about learning is when students achieve at levels commensurate with potential, their culture figures prominently in the process. The influence of culture on cognition must never be overlooked. Those teachers who devise creative strategies for taking full advantage of what students already know are also committed to seeking information about how they live.”

Brown, T. J. (1988). High impact teaching: Strategies for educating minority youth. Lanham, Maryland: University Press. p. 26.

“By taking full advantage of what each student already knows the learning experience is enhanced for all. When strategies…are utilized by teachers, education that is truly multicultural takes place. Learning outcomes for all students are increased, and their appreciation for cultural differences is easily discernible.”

Brown, T. J. (1988). High impact teaching: Strategies for educating minority youth. Lanham, MD: University Press. pp. 44–45.

“If minority students are to enjoy the benefits that should accrue from schooling, their culture must figure prominently in the process.”

Brown, T. (1999). Teaching the poor and children of color. Columbia, MD: Brown & Associates. p. 66.

“Marzano advocates that teachers develop a repertoire of possible responses to students to ensure equitable treatment of all. His specific suggestions include: . . .

• Restating the question. Asking the question a second time and allowing time for students to think before expecting a response.
• Rephrasing the question. Paraphrasing the question or asking it from a different perspective, one that may give students a better understanding of the question.”

Equity Training and Development Team. (2008). The classroom is a sea of communication . . . . Retrieved November 2008, from MCPS website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/development/teams/diversity/diversity.shtm