This is a critical issue. However, I don't have the solution. The
current situation seems to be that many people support the concept of
equity, but don't know how to get there. The problem seen in many
professional development projects is that they state equity as a goal,
but actually have very sketchy plans for action and do very little to
achieve the goal.
I believe that a project that challenges itself to address equity
should consider including the following in its design:
1. An explication and understanding of the specific needs and issues
related to the students to be served (e.g., disaggregated achievement
data, cultural norms, family support, community support).
2. A clear statement of the equity goals (e.g., equal test scores,
equal learning opportunity, equal graduation rates, equal enrollment
in science).
3. An understanding of the educational system and of the components
of the educational/social system that the professional development
project can impact and of those which are not under the influence of
professional development.
4. A description of the kinds of learning activities that are
successful with the targeted students that have promise in making
progress toward the equity goals.
5. A vision of what an equitable learning environment, curriculum,
and instruction might look like with the students to be served.
6. A description of the kind of learning experiences for teachers
that will prepare them to achieve the vision of equity.
7. A plan to monitor and guide the adjustments to the professional
development program toward the equity goal.
8. A plan to assess the science program, teaching, classroom
environment, assessment program, and student achievement to determine
the degree to which the professional development program had an impact
on equity.
_________________________________________________________
James D. Ellis, Ph.D.
Program Director
Division of Elementary, Secondary and Informal Education
The National Science Foundation
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 885S
Arlington, VA 22230
Phone: (703) 306-1616 ext: 6862
FAX: (703) 306-0412
Email: jellis@nsf.gov
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