Legal Guide to Increasing Cultural Awareness in Education by Ebony Sparks

Legal Guide to Increasing Cultural Awareness in Education by Ebony Sparks https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc en-us 2022-07-22 17:11:27 UTC 2022-07-24 23:14:39 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f49b.png 1. Professional Perspective, Audience & Topic edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284766 My field of education is Curriculum and Instruction, Advanced Instructor. My professional perspective is that of an Instructional Coach, which will be the role I pursue after completing my degree plan. In my professional perspective I feel that all students deserve an equal and quality education where they not only learn about themselves, but other cultures too. Students should be educated with students of all backgrounds and educational materials should be inclusive of information about all student races and cultures. Educators and administration should ensure students are educated in environments where they feel safe and have all resources needed to be successful. I also believe educators should be trained on how to relate, build relationships, and respect students of all cultures.

The audience for this legal guide are campus teachers and administrators. My audience consists of all people who play a major role in the day to day operations of the campus in promoting a positive campus culture.

My topic is a legal guide to increasing cultural awareness and inclusiveness in education. I chose this topic because throughout this course I have learned a lot about the lack of training in education, as it pertains to cultural awareness, diversity and the inclusion of all students. When students learn about different cultures they are able to feel more comfortable around people who are different then themselves and they feel more safe. It also allows for them to have healthy social interactions and relationships with people from various backgrounds throughout the course of their life.

]]> 2022-07-22 17:15:25 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284766 2. Interview edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284805 The interview taught me that cultural awareness and inclusiveness is a major topic in the field of education. Our current school district has been brainstorming different professional development trainings that they can implement to educate staff on cultural awareness, and how to build relationships with students of various backgrounds. Cultural awareness is very important right now because our school district has been getting an increase of students from various backgrounds, especially Hispanic students. Our district is implementing new policies and procedures to better educate these students, so that they feel included and comfortable.

Best practices:

·Provide professional development training that focuses on relationship building with students of various backgrounds.

· Incorporate educational materials that are written by people of various backgrounds.

· Create school cultures that are inclusive to all backgrounds and not only a select few.

An emerging issue is race and equality in education. During the interview, the interviewee stressed the number of social injustices that are currently in the news today. These disparities make it even harder for educators to do their job and makes relationship building between students and staff very important. Educators have to be equipped with the tools needed to relate to current events and how they impact students in the classroom.

The person I chose to interview was my campus principal, Melanie Pharis. She is the campus principal of the Early College High School in Beaumont, Texas.

]]> 2022-07-22 17:15:34 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284805 3. Professional Association edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284839 The National Organization for Student Success (NOSS) is a professional association that supports my topic. The purpose of NOSS is to help educational professionals make a positive difference in the lives of students.

Summary:
NOSS chose to be culturally aware and non-silent, by publishing a statement on racial injustice to address the unjust and preventable deaths of people of color by various police departments. The statement goes on to address the influence educators have and how educators must first address social injustices within themselves. Educators must address their own bias and prejudices, ask themselves what they can do to support students of color, and brainstorm ways to support positive change.

Reference:
National Organization For Student Success. (n.d.). A statement on racial (in)justice. NOSS. https://thenoss.org/resources/Documents/Racial%20Injustice%20Statement.pdfhttps://thenoss.org/resources/Documents/Racial%20Injustice%20Statement.pdf]]> 2022-07-22 17:15:40 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284839 4. Current News Article edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284868 Current State of Issues:

This article discusses the lack of diversity in educational materials.
The article reports on the current representation of social groups in educational materials, and gives recommendations on what teachers can do to ensure all students are represented in educational resources.
Research shows that their is a current underrepresentation of certain social groups in educational materials.
Educational texts may use a “heroes and holiday” approach in recognizing different heritages, focusing on celebrations and historical figures (Armstrong, 2022).
Having characters students can relate too influences children’s racial/ethnic and gender identity development and their understanding of different racial, ethnic, and gender groups (Armstrong, 2022).
According to Armstrong (2022), “culturally responsive materials can enhance students’ engagement, improve their academic achievement, and support their written and oral language development and reading comprehension”.

Reference:
Armstrong, A. (2022). A troubling lack of diversity in educational materials. https://www.edutopia.org/article/troubling-lack-diversity-educational-materials

]]> 2022-07-22 17:15:46 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284868 5. Current News Article edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284904 Current State of Issues:

Two students partnered with a union to sue the district after eight books were pulled from the library.
The eight books contained topics about "...race, gender, and marginalized communities..." (Alanis, 2022).
According to Alanis (2022), "School boards cannot ban books because the books and their characters illustrate viewpoints different of those of school board; especially when they target books presenting the viewpoints of racial and sexual minorities".
Students and educators have the right to receive information and knowledge, including the right to talk and learn about race and gender in schools (Alanis, 2022).
As of late there has been a trend to try and erase certain viewpoints of race and sexuality from schools to prevent students from learning or knowing about them.

Reference:
Alanis, K. (2022). 'We must protect this right': Students sue school district over banned books. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/we-must-protect-this-right-students-sue-school-district-over-banned-books/2022/02

]]> 2022-07-22 17:15:53 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284904 6. Constitutional Law edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284933

The fourteenth amendment was ratified in 1868 giving citizenship and “equal protection under the law” to anyone born in the United States or anyone who becomes a citizen of the country (U. S. Const. amend. 14).

This law prohibited states from depriving any person of "life liberty, or property without due process of law" (U. S. Const. amend. 14).

Reference:
U. S. Const. amend. 14.

]]> 2022-07-22 17:15:59 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284933 7. Statutory Law edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284975

1964: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) prohibits students from being treated differently based on race, color, or national origin when enrolled in educational program or activities receiving federal financial assistance. (Title VI, 42 U.S.C. § 2000d et seq.)

This act prohibited states, school districts, and schools from creating or implementing policies that would leave certain students at a disadvantage based on their ethnicity.

Reference:
Civil Rights Act of 1964 § 6, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq (1964).

]]> 2022-07-22 17:16:08 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248284975 8. Judicial Law edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285016

1954: The Supreme Court heard the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka landmark case where they ruled it was unconstitutional to segregate students in the public school system. (Brown v. Board of Education, 1954).

This case allowed for students of all backgrounds to be educated together and helped to close achievement gaps between blacks and white and was the start of access to a better quality education for nonwhites, despite racial backgrounds.

Reference:
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 US 483 (1954).

]]> 2022-07-22 17:16:17 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285016 9. Administrative Law edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285059

2015: The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed into law by President Obama in 2015.

This law protects students with disadvantages and high-needs and that all students be taught to high academic standards so that they are prepared to succeed in college and future careers (Every Student Succeeds Act, 2015).

This act helped to ensure accountability of lower performing schools.

This law helped low performing schools make positive change and progress to ensure students receive a high quality education, despite their background.

Reference:
Every Student Succeeds Act, 20 U.S.C. § 6301 (2015).

]]> 2022-07-22 17:16:24 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285059 10. Local Administrative Law edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285119 The attached link is how my school district addresses controversial topics and gives guidance to educators on how to approach such topics. The policy list in detail what is and is not allowed in the classroom and by the teacher.

Reference:
Beaumont Independent School District. ( 2022, July 24). Board policy manual, Miscellaneous instructional policies-teaching about controversial issues. Retrieved from https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Code/725?filter=EMB

]]> 2022-07-22 17:16:37 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285119 11. Ethical Principle edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285149

According to 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2 (2018), “the educator shall not intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly treat a student or minor in a manner that adversely affects or endangers the learning, physical health, mental health, or safety of the student or minor”.

Following this standard ensures educators do right by all students and keep them safe, in terms of what they choose to educate students about and the environment in which the education takes place.

Reference:
19 Tex. Admin. Code § 247.2 (2018).

]]> 2022-07-22 17:16:43 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285149 12. Personal Connection edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285186

As an educator, these laws have taught me how important it is for me to be aware of race and racism in education, and to help ensure my colleagues are aware, in order to give all students the best opportunities possible and the best education possible. As an African American black woman in education, the laws addressed have had a major impact on my life and helped me to understand the legal and ethical standards and how they apply in my life.

My race in particular has made great strides in education but we still have a ways to go in regards to promoting cultural awareness and being more inclusive. The fact that my ancestors were not able to get an education because of the color of there skin, drives me attain the highest achievements in education. I desire to give back to my community and show others that come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with limited resources, that they too can succeed.

]]> 2022-07-22 17:16:50 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285186 13. Recommendations edoffoney https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285216

Schools need to incorporate having tough conversations with educators about how race and racism operates in their schools to help ensure equity in schools.

Professional development needs to be provided for educators so that they are equipped on how to eliminate bias towards students and realize how race and culture affect education.

Educators should maintain high academic expectations for all students.

Schools should show interest in the backgrounds of all students and not just specific races on certain holidays.

Teachers should serve as facilitators in the classroom and promote more discussions in the classroom.

Educators can spend more time getting to know students and their families, by providing learning experiences that occur outside the classroom, that are tied to students cultural backgrounds.

]]> 2022-07-22 17:16:57 UTC https://padlet.com/edoffoney/33qzw2fvurx0zxmc/wish/2248285216