EDU 1143

Discusses the negative consequences of gender stereotyping in the mathematics classroom, especially for girls. Addresses possible challenges associated with creating a safe learning environment and combating gender stereotypes. Describes difficulties in various settings in the mathematics classroom and explores challenges associated with traditional gender roles, role models, and sexist language.

Gender stereotyping primarily of junior high female math students is a relatively recent awareness. I liked the three points they made on combating this issue, i.e., (1.) reinforcing the fact that math should be nonsexist, (2.) including the contributions that female mathematicians have made to society, (3.) teaching nonsexist language by example. Also, several good ideas on countering domineering students so that all students feel free to participate. I plan to implement the idea of limited and revolving discussion groups

This Policy Brief looks at how to improve equity in education in three key policy domains: the design of education systems, practices both in and out of school, and resourcing. It proposes ten steps which would help reduce school failure and dropout rates, make society fairer and help avoid the large social costs of marginalised adults with few basic skills.

When cultural expectations collide with classroom expectations, the result can be misunderstanding. Discussion among teachers, parents, and administrators can increase sensitivity to students from diverse backgrounds.

"Multicultural education means different things to different people. However, the differences are not as great, confusing, or contradictory as some critics and analysts claim. Many of these differences are more semantic than substantive, a reflection of the developmental level in the field and the disciplinary orientation of advocates. One should expect people who have been involved in a discipline or educational movement for a long time to understand and talk about it differently from those who are new to it. Similarly, educators who look at schooling from the vantage point of sociology, psychology, or economics will have differing views of the key concerns of schooling. Yet, these disparate analysts may agree on which issues are the most critical ones. Such differences over means coupled with widespread agreement on substance are naturally found in discussions of multicultural education. But this diversity should not be a problem, especially when we consider that multicultural education is all about plurality. The field includes educational scholars, researchers, and practitioners from a wide variety of personal, professional, philosophical, political, and pedagogical backgrounds. Therefore, we should expect that they will use different points of reference in discussing ethnic diversity and cultural pluralism. Yet, when allowances are made for these differences, a consensus on the substantive components of multicultural education quickly emerges. Such agreement is evident in areas such as the key content dimensions, value priorities, the justification for multicultural education, and its expected outcomes. Only when these fundamentals are articulated do variations emerge. Some advocates talk about expected outcomes, while others consider the major determining factor to be the group being studied; the arena of school action is the primary focus for one set of advocates, and still others are most concerned with distinctions between theory and practice. Some people

Project Intersect was funded from 2006-2010 by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Innovation and Improvement, Arts in Education Model Demonstration and Dissemination Programs. Project Intersect is a comprehensive and collaborative model designed and facilitated by the University of Minnesota's Institute for Community Integration and Department of Curriculum and Instruction Art Education Program, for American Indian and non-American Indian students in grades K-8 to enhance their interest, understanding, enthusiasm, and performance in standards-based subjects.

"The American Civil Liberties Union recently began sending out "cease and desist" letters to individual schools and districts to halt single-sex programs that the legal advocacy group suggests may violate federal and state laws."

"Should boys and girls be taught separately? Does single-sex education boost academic success? Read the arguments for and against."

This article provides the following guidelines for creating culturally responsive, inclusive classrooms: use a range of culturally sensitive methods and materials, create a classroom atmosphere that respects individuals and their cultures, foster an interactive classroom learning environment, employ ongoing and culturally aware assessments, and collaborate with other professionals and families.

"The psychological, social, and emotional needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth often go unmet in schools. These students may be "out and proud" or they may be silent and invisible; either way, providing effective services to them creates unique challenges for professional school counselors. Providing direct services in schools may be difficult; therefore, indirect methods may create a more hospitable environment for LGBTQ youth. It is the purpose of this article to offer a better understanding of the complexities that sexual minority youth deal with in schools and to offer school counselors and others working in the school environment creative ways to work with LGBTQ students."

This article places the problem of disproportionate representation of African American students in special education in the context of the White privilege and racism that exist in American society as a whole. The author discusses how educational resource allocation, inappropriate curriculum and pedagogy, and inadequate teacher preparation have contributed to the problem of disproportionate representation. More important, she argues that remedies designed to address the disproportionality challenge must place the aforementioned structural forces at the center of education research, policy, and practice.

Two major premises are developed in this discussion. One is that many students of color are disproportionately assigned to special education because educators lack knowledge about or appreciation for their cultural values and socialization, and how these a€ ect learning behaviors. The other premise is that the educational quality of students of color in both special and regular education can be improved signi®cantly by using instructional programs and practices that re¯ect their cultural heritages, experiences, and perspectives. Several components of this ``culturally responsive teaching'' are explained, along with some research ®ndings about its e€ ects on student achievement. These include critical cultural consciousness of teachers; culturally pluralistic classroom climates; diverse communities of learners; and multicultural curriculum and instruction. The author concludes that without culturally responsive teaching education can never be the best it should be for students who are not part of the majority and mainstream of schools and society.

"Paul C. Gorski challenges educators to push beyond a one-dimensional understanding of poverty. Rather than examining a so-called "culture of poverty" -- a term used by the very popular Ruby Payne and others who write and speak about poverty at the national level -- Gorski urges educators to question the culture of classist assumptions that infiltrates our classrooms and schools. "

The most significant educational challenge facing the United States is the tragically low academic achievement of many students of color. TDSi helps educators meet the challenge with a collection of research-based tools and resources designed to improve the teaching of racially and ethnically diverse students.

Many school districts are making efforts to inform administrators and teachers about the religious practices of their students. Knowledge about students' religious needs and requirements promotes understanding between parents and school officials and prepares teachers for questions or concerns when they arise.

This teacher's guide is intended to move beyond the confusion and conflict that has surrounded religion in public schools since the early days of the common school movement. For most of our history, extremes have shaped much of the debate. On one end of the spectrum are those who advocate promotion of religion (usually their own) in school practices and policies. On the other end are those who view public schools as religious-free zones. Neither of these approaches is consistent with the guiding principles of the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment. This guide is not intended to render legal advice on specific legal questions; it is designed to provide general information on the subject of religion and public schools.

This web site is designed to provide information, including links to related web sites, on the history and current thinking about American Indian and Indigenous education. It includes information on how Indigenous students were taught English and on bilingual/bicultural education. In addition, there is material on teaching reading, math/science, curriculum development, and American Indian dropouts. Links are also provided to information on community-controlled schools, gifted and talented education, learning styles, and Indian children's books. This web site is maintained by Jon Reyhner.

"This list includes more than 100 ways for you to break gender barriers."

Even though girls have made progress, programs designed for girls still need support.

Reclaiming Youth International (RYI) is dedicated to helping adults better serve children and youth who are in emotional pain from conflict in the family, school, community, or with self. The Circle of Courage® provides the philosophical foundation for the work of RYI. It suggests that children and youth do well when their needs of belonging, mastery, independence and generosity are met. Reclaiming Youth equips adults to work with today's youth through annual seminars, educational trainings and consultation, and our professional bookstore.

Which research-based strategies curb negative trends now facing boys?