“Education shall aim at developing the child’s personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to the fullest extent. Education shall prepare the child for an active adult life in a free society and foster respect for the child’s parents, his or her own cultural identity, language, and values, and for the cultural background and values of others.” (The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)
Students can be unwilling to attend school for many reasons. “Poor socio-economic backgrounds or belonging to an ethnic minority can all be obstacles to enjoying and profiting from education. When a child needs are not met they are less likely to profit from education.” (OECD, 2012) As educators it is vital we cater for the needs of all students in order to maintain a diverse classroom environment.
The title of Richard Murphy’s poem, A Reading Lesson, has a double meaning, “The Reading Lesson, is about a boy who is reluctant to read and the teacher has learnt a lesson: you can’t force people’s interest in what they have no interest in” (StudyMode, 2013). It is read from the perspective of the teacher, who speaks from his experience working with a young traveler boy and the difficulties faced within the education system regarding the education of ethnic minorities. “A
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We should recognize the potential in every child irrespective of their learning style. We must provide environments in our schools that support inclusive practices and create equal opportunities for all children to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background. Where, while differences are respected, the children remain focused on the learning experiences and are not made conscious of the fact that being from a different background makes any difference to their interests, abilities and growth
While differentiating instruction and being able to design lessons geared towards the needs of diverse learners are currently highly prized skills for teachers, this has not always been the case. The history of education in the United States is a history of segregation. Even today, schools and curriculum are designed to meet the needs of a core group of students, which does not include students with disabilities (Hitchcock, Meyer, Rose, & Jackson, 2002). In the past, learners who were different, out of the mainstream, or did not fit into the mold to which teachers taught (were not part of the core) learned how or lost out on learning. This is not to say that teachers of the past did not care about their students, about being effective teachers, or about student learning. However, as schools are mirrors reflecting mainstream societal norms (Chartock, 2010; Delpit, 2006)—and, given that our society has not always valued diversity in people, be it due to disability, class, culture, or race—teachers in the past have largely focused their efforts where they could earn the largest return on their investment: the average student .
If we are to successfully educate all students in a multicultural society, we must continue to address the issues that are hindering our children from exposing their full potential. Banks (1993) stated, “Thus, early exposure to a multicultural curriculum has the most likelihood of success” (as cited in Christie, 2009).
It is an educator’s job to embrace and acknowledge the rich diversity all the children collectively bring to the classroom, while understanding that the children do not need to be treated the same because they are not the same as each other, but be respected and accepted for their differences. Inclusion is an essential; plank in the broad platform of social justice and raising achievement is a goal which all educators much hold for their pupils, It is important that early year professionals are aware of all different ways in which society constructs (Neaum 2010) this involves taking account children’s social cultural and linguistic diversity and including learning style, family circumstances, location in curriculum decision making process so all children are recognised and valued (Nutbrown and Clough 2006)
...tions, if true diversity is not introduced in both worlds, one will never know of the other. Another way of breaking the barriers is persuading parents into seeing how diversity will enrich everyone’s lives.
For some students it is difficult to get a good education. These students live in a poor community and are required to go to schools that have a low graduation rate. These schools have a certain reputation such that other students refer to it as the “ghetto school”, “where the pregnant girls go”, and the “dropout factory”. This
This discriminate behaviour causes children to feel like they do not belong; there for withdrawing themselves from their school and learning. It is up to us as teachers, to further our learning and educate ourselves on the diverse world we live and teach in. The gender, culture, skin colour, dress and appearance of a child does not change who they are inside and their capability to learn. Teachers must not have preconceived ideas of a child. When children have strong relationships between home and school their learning and development is best supported (Hedges, Cullen & Jorden 2011). When teachers are interpreting the curriculum it is important they include practices that that link the home, family and community experiences. With a positive and supportive school environment, children can learn to feel and show acceptance for all people no matter of age, sex, race, culture and socio economics. Children can learn to value and respect themselves and each other. Australia has a diverse range of culture and ethnicities in schools and majority of schools are using effective methods to cater and enrich a child’s learning experience. Schools must support the ongoing professional development of teachers in gaining better knowledge of different cultures and the links between educational outcomes. Every child has the right to enjoy school, and it is up to us as
Diversity among students including differences in culture, language and socioeconomic stance is not a new trend. The difference, however, is that today, the school system realizes that all students, including those who differ in some way from the "average" student, or those “at-risk” must be provided with an equal, opportune education (Morris, 1991).
Culturally relevant pedagogy uses inclusive practices to meet the needs of all learners. These methods include teaching that integrates students’ backgrounds and experiences into the curriculum and learning experience. In doing so, teachers using culturally responsive pedagogy must: (1) hold high expectations and affirming views of all learners; (2) provide room for all students’ to make meaningful connection to learning content; and (3) create a safe and positive classroom climate fostering respect and care for students. As we review certain approaches of implementing best practices to meet the needs of RCELD students, we must also remember that it takes long-term commitment to inclusive practices in education in order to address the inequitable structures that contribute to issues such as the achievement gap.
Slee (2001) argues that inclusive schooling demands schools to recognise all types of difference from disabilities, ethnicity, gender, class and sexuality. Furthermore, he challenges schools to accept difference, to encourage and promote flexibility thus benefiting not only the curriculum and pedagogy, but the community and students themselves (Slee, 2001).
Every child has the right to receive an education in a welcoming and inclusive environment where they are given the opportunity to grow emotionally, physically, socially, and intellectually regardless of their differences. I believe education is the foundation a child needs to grow and learn, and inclusion is a key ingredient in the makeup of the learning environment. Without the implementation of inclusion, students are deprived of the opportunity to learn acceptance, respect, and growth from their interaction with a variety of people with differing skills and perspectives.
Children should be exposed to all segments of society. Youngsters learning with children of different races, nationalities, and religions tend to be more tolerant and accepting of individual differences. They learn customs, beliefs and rituals of classmates that maybe quite different from what they have been taught. Youngsters learning in an environment of diversity are well prepared to deal more effectively in society after they complete their education. A mutual respect and understanding of other cultures removes barriers and stereotypes. Individual differences need to be threatening. In fact, knowledge of other cultures helps a person realize and appreciate the similarities more than the differences. It is most important that the teacher is trained to teach about and respect individual differences. A diverse group of youngsters can add a great deal to the classroom environment. Interaction between children, handled effectively, can promote a climate of curiosity, mutual respect and acceptance. Nina Rees addressed the topic of teaching styles at both public and private school systems. She suggested students achieve greater results in an environment in which competition and different religious and cultural backgrounds exist. (Rees 93). Although students may have a different religion, culture, race and socio-economic level, they all deserve an equally outstanding education. There is a national attempt to give parents the option of a public or a private education for their youngsters. "There is also such a thing as a Voucher System. In "PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, SPECIAL NEEDS, AND VOUCHER SYSTEMS- A GENERAL REVIEW OF BASIC PRINCIPLES," the author writes, "the idea of the voucher system is that parents ...
Diversity in classrooms can open student’s minds to all the world has to offer. At times diversity and understanding of culture, deviant experiences and perspectives can be difficult to fulfill, but with appropriate strategies and resources, it can lead students gaining a high level of respect for those unlike them, preferably than a judgmental and prejudiced view.
...s affects many aspects of not only their lives, but the teachers and other students as well. Inclusive education is a great way of learning, and maintains very many benefits.
The world is currently undergoing a cultural change, and we live in an increasingly diverse society. This change is not only affect the people in the community but also affect the way education is viewed. Teaching diversity in the classroom and focusing multicultural activities in the programs can help improve positive social behavior in children. There is no question that the education must be prepared to embrace the diversity and to teach an increasingly diverse population of young children.
It is crucial that teachers employ a number of strategies in order to support the education of students from disadvantaged groups. Whether these strategies are expressed through pedagogy, curriculum or just communication, they all have a significant role in enhancing the opportunity to gain an education.