Equity in the classroom embraces learner differences to create a positive experience for in-class and home-schooled learners. However, 2.9% of Hispanic students in the US experienced class progression delays from the 9th to 12th grades in 2017, indicating a case of educational inequity arising from language barriers. Therefore, it is prudent to establish systems to ensure equity in the classroom. That said, here are four ways to promote equity in your classroom.
Set up and communicate an inclusive environment
Creating an inclusive environment in the classroom goes beyond just establishing it. It is prudent to communicate and prove what it entails. As a tip, you should do it very early in the school term. You may also organize discussions with school players and stakeholders, discussing the following:
- Openness to various views
- Early action on hostile interactions
- Promotion of mutual respect.
The objective for setting these parameters is to help your students understand their role in promoting and ensuring an inclusive classroom. The moment they grasp the idea, it will further create several opportunities to own up to their responsibilities.
Personalize learning
Being able to understand your students’ individual needs is the mark of an excellent educator. This means you understand the essence of establishing personalized lesson plans for students needing extra care to achieve academic success. The main driving point for advocating individualized studies is to ensure that all learners get the desired outcome. This is an objective that drives many educational support organizations like Teach For America.
However, who deserves personalized learning in the classroom? For example, you likely have students with disabilities joining mainstream schools to partake in holistic learning. Although special schools attend to people with specific disabilities, some persons opt for mainstream schools to avoid stigma or other reasons. In a situation like this, you cannot cast a blind eye to the apparent differences. Therefore, you will need to adopt a variety of skills and techniques to teach every student. Fortunately, using a combination of techniques is how you can ensure equity in the classroom.
Community engagement
Education is not restricted to the classroom only. Instead, it involves community engagement to understand further the external factors that influence learners’ thought processes. The community includes parents, guardians, teachers, and all other persons considered as stakeholders in education. This level of engagement creates a convenient platform to evaluate systemic inequities properly.
Be mindful of your technology usage
Technology usage is an integral part of the 21st-century educational system. Coupled with the pandemic and the need to promote social distancing, more educational institutions turn to the computer. However, before you employ technology in teaching, ensure that all your learners (especially those with disabilities) can partake in the online resources you recommend. It’s also prudent to determine if your students can adapt to this learning strategy.
Equity in the classroom is a collaborative effort and not a one-sided activity. Hopefully, this article provided you with deeper insight into what you can do to institute an inclusive environment in your classroom.
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