Abstract
Classrooms are filled with students from multiple backgrounds. Teachers see students of different races, genders, and socioeconomic statuses. Providing the best education for these students is a necessity to produce productive members of society. To do so, teachers must work toward classroom equity. The research collected in this chapter can help teachers move toward an equitable classroom environment. There are many factors that need to be considered in creating equity. Once these factors are contemplated, the ability to change can be easily instituted. Teacher leaders have the potential to initiate change, but there are circumstances within the school that can hinder or support this change. Once schools meet the necessary criteria to create change, the role of teacher leaders is imperative in making equitable classrooms a reality.
TopMain Focus Of The Chapter
This chapter focuses on creating equitable classrooms in relation to race, gender, and socioeconomic status. This narrative includes a description of how different races, genders, and socioeconomic statuses affect a students’ abilities and academic achievement in the classroom and ways in which students can be served equitably in school settings. Descriptions and examples of methodology will be provided. Furthermore, the narrative addresses how a teacher leader plays a role in the process as well as the environments within schools or school systems that are conducive to taking the necessary steps toward providing equitable instruction.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Classroom Diversity: A classroom with students of different races, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds and abilities.
Gender: Relating to the sex of a person.
Teacher Leader: A teacher who has taken on the role of serving in both formal and informal leadership roles within the school building and collaborates with colleagues to work toward better educational outcomes for students.
Academic Achievement: A student’s level of performance in a learning environment.
Race: Any group that individuals are divided into based on physical characteristics.
Stereotype: A rooted or simplified perception or belief about particular things or persons in relation to social values.
Socioeconomic Status: An economic status of an individual within a community.
Poverty: Living with an insufficient source of monetary funds.
Classroom Equity: A classroom that offers students of different races, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds, access classroom materials, and the necessary support to ensure the ability to understand those materials.
Classroom Equality: A classroom that offers students of different races, genders, and socio-economic backgrounds access to the same classroom materials.