Introduction (this is an introduction to the task; you are not necessarily required to write an introduction)

The United States continues to become increasingly diverse. The unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences of students can enrich the learning environment, if those differences do not become barriers. As an educator, it is imperative that you become knowledgeable about aspects of culture and diversity, and develop competence in creating an equitable learning environment for all students.

In this task, you will write an essay (suggested length 2-5 pages) in which you explain the importance of diversity consciousness for educators.

A.1. Describe two distinct diverse groups within the U.S. student population. To help an educator gain knowledge of each diversity group, cite source information to support your description in part A.

Some examples of diverse groups:

• English Language Learners (also known as CLD: Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Students)
• Students identified with Special Needs (it may be best to choose a specific physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral disability category)
• Economically disadvantaged students / Children in Poverty
• Students of various racial or ethnic backgrounds (choose one group)
• Students from various religious backgrounds (choose one group)
• Refugees
• Native American Students
• Students in single parent families or grandfamilies, or other nontraditional family structures
• Students who identify as LGBTQ, or who have family members who identify as LGBTQ
• Students identified as Gifted

When discussing your two diverse groups, please address the following:

• Definition/description of each of your groups. For example: Criteria for economically disadvantaged families, or examples of the variety of cognitive disabilities.

• Demographic Information – representation of each of your groups in the U.S. student population. For example:

• ELLs are the fastest growing student demographic, with ___% of students in public schools in the U.S.A. being identified as ELLs in 2015 (National Center for Education Statistics, 2017).

• Less than 2% of students in public schools in the U.S.A. have refugee status (National Center for Education Statistics, 2017).

You might also find it helpful to consider some of the following, if they apply to your groups:

• language background, language variety, literacy
• communication features & styles

• cultural practices, beliefs, values, norms and/or traditions
• the role of the family and family expectations;
• value placed on education

Citing Sources:

• You must cite information from at least one source for this entire section, and it is acceptable to cite the same source for both groups. You may also choose to cite at least one different source for each group.

A.2. Describe a challenge that each identified group (i.e., one challenge for each group) may experience in a school setting related to their diversity background.

You might see the challenge as a hurdle faced by the students in your identified group that impedes their academic success. It is best to base this challenge on research and reliable sources, rather than on assumptions or experience only. This will help you to know how widespread the challenge is, and how exactly it affects academic achievement.

These challenges are not aspects of your group’s diversity. These challenges are responses to those aspects of diversity within the school setting, such as the following:

• low skills in a certain area (literacy skills, decoding, reading comprehension, math operations, focus, staying on task, scholastic organization…)
• lack of access to important resources (tutoring, technology, assistance)
• unfair discipline
• prejudicial attitudes by some classmates, staff, and/or parents/community
• lack of culturally-relevant materials and texts
• lack of culturally-responsive teaching practices
• lack of appropriate academic support
• ignorance of cultural differences & culturally-based learning style
• linguicism
• racism
• socio-economic biases
• stereotyping/discrimination by peers and/or faculty and staff

A.3. Describe two strategies (i.e., one strategy for each of your chosen groups) by which educators can support the educational achievement of students from each of the identified groups.

The goal of this section is a beginning understanding of the concepts of culturally responsive teaching and equity pedagogy. We are thinking in specific terms about how culturally-responsive practices can promote academic success for students from all backgrounds, and help overcome the challenges they often encounter in school settings.

These strategies could include, but are not limited to, the following:

• specialized teaching of a needed skill
• implementing appropriate classroom accommodations and modifications (for example, using a graphic organizer to help a student comprehend a story or text)
• using more culturally-relevant and bilingual materials and texts
• Classroom management strategies, whereby a student can monitor his/her own behavior
• teaching lessons that center on the histories of people from that group
• anti-bias teaching to prevent the bullying of students who identify as LGBTQ
• drawing on the students’ personal experiences and linguistic and cultural backgrounds while teaching content
• creating a classroom environment that highlights and celebrates differences
• adapting material for students with exceptional needs, ELLs, etc.

You must apply the strategy you find to one of your diversity groups. (In some cases, this strategy may also be appropriate for use with other groups.) You must then apply the second strategy you find to your other diversity group.

*Please use separate paragraphs for each group, and describe what the strategy looks like and/or sounds like in the classroom!

Cite source information that supports the strategies described in part A3.

• In this section, you must cite information, in-text, from sources for each of your chosen groups. You must cite at least one source for this entire section; you may also cite at least one different source for each strategy.

• It is acceptable to cite the same source for both strategies if that source discusses strategies which apply to both groups. In this case, you will need to cite that one source in-text at least twice (i.e., once for each group).

1. Explain why it is important for educators to develop approaches that are responsive to the diversity background of all students.

You can find the materials you need for this here!

Provide a rationale for the importance of teachers understanding and implementing approaches and strategies that take into consideration the diverse backgrounds of their students. This rationale might include, but is not limited to, the following:

• increasing academic achievement for all students
• increasing student interest and engagement
• helping students feel valued and respected
• fostering teacher professionalism and competence
• promoting positive effects in students’ families, communities, and nation
• encouraging a more inclusive and welcoming school environment

C. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.

Example of in-text citation for paraphrased information:

• When no author is provided, use the name of the organization:

• Over 20% of school-aged children like strawberry ice cream (National Center for Education Statistics, 2015).

OR…

• According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2015), over 20% of school-aged children like strawberry ice cream.

• Author provided in resource:

• Over 20% of school-aged children like strawberry ice cream (Smith, 2015).

OR…

• According to Smith (2015), over 20% of school-aged children like strawberry ice cream.

* Scrolling to the very bottom of a web page often provides citation information! *

Example of Reference Page:

References

National Center for Education Statistics (2016). The Condition of Education. Retrieved from

http://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cgf.asp

Smith, J. (2015). Name of Article. The Pew Research Center. Retrieved from

www.pewresearch.org

Notice that the heading for this page is centered, and not bold or underlined. Please refer to an APA reference guide for help with formatting your references and in-text citations, such as the following:

• Example of APA format: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/200902120…

• General References page or in-text citation information: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/05…

WGU’s Center for Writing Excellence information on APA format:

https://wgu.adobeconnect.com/_a814884580/apafaq/

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