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Serving Educational Equity
Foreword by Barbara R. Blackburn
Grounded in research and employing the Science of Learning Development (SoLD) principles, this book offers bold and different thinking about unfinished learning, equity, and student success.
- Grade Level: PreK-12
- ISBN: 9781071909478
- Published By: Corwin
- Year: 2023
- Page Count: 216
- Publication date: May 22, 2023
Price: $34.95
For Instructors
When you select 'request review copy', you will be redirected to Sage Publishing (our parent site) to process your request.
Description
Connect theory to practice with this timely, comprehensive whole-child approach to accelerated learning.
Planning for equitable accelerated learning is analogous to preparing a meal. Similar to a chef selecting the menu, gathering ingredients, and planning the occasion, educators choose aligned curricula to prioritize learning, organize and internalize instruction, and plan for opportunities to advance student learning.
Grounded in research and employing the Science of Learning Development (SoLD) principles, this book offers bold new thinking about unfinished learning, equity, and student success. The five-course framework guides educators through the process of
- Assessing the current school conditions and mindset for acceleration versus remediation
- Reflecting on empowerment
- Surveying and reimagining curriculum
- Understanding and embracing diversity and equity
- Establishing and implementing effective foundational instruction
- Promoting, expanding, and reflecting on student engagement
Including frequent opportunities for reader reflection, real-world vignettes, and tools that can be brought directly into the classroom, this book delivers everything educators need to adopt a whole-child approach to advancing student learning and engagement.
Author(s)
Sonya Murray-Darden
My "why" has evolved throughout my experience serving students in numerous educational settings as a professional developer, classroom teacher, leadership coach, reading specialist, administrator, and researcher. But no experience entirely shaped my why, like losing my former student who was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri. His death would spark public protests, social unrest, and outrage within my community and beyond, forcing much-needed conversations across the country about the role of social justice in schools.
Mike was a gentle soul who loved math and was part of my reading club. There was much in the news media about his tragedy, but what I knew as his former teacher was that he loved math even after graduating from high school. I wanted to think the teaching and learning he received, and the information I poured into him as a student, influenced his love of mathematics. Ironically, his tragedy occurred the same day I graduated from college with an advanced degree, causing me to reflect deeply on the external and internal influences of teaching and learning and my personal "why." As I pondered the many sacrifices of my parents and teachers, I concluded that the work of equity is about using education as a vessel to change lives. The educators I encountered influenced my life trajectory and educational experiences. My path began as a student in an urban school district with teachers who cared and provided the foundational learning I needed to succeed, but I didn't live in an area where schools were "considered" the best. My mother decided to transition my siblings and me to a desegregated school by eighth grade, riding a school bus for nearly an hour each way to a new school community. This community was very different from where I was raised and was considered "a better educational opportunity."
As I traveled across town to a school that offered more opportunity and access, the program offerings were better, but I felt isolated. I was invisible. The experience helped me understand the difference between "intent" and "impact." The school was challenging and rich in experiences, intending to diversify educational experiences for all students by offering more opportunities, yet the impact was a stifled voice. I quickly learned that serving equity requires elevating the voice of the underserved, choosing the right curriculum, understanding the impact of external influences, building relationships, and reflecting on the instructional decisions we implement when we elevate students' possibilities.
Ultimately, I founded Equity Matters Consulting, a consulting company focused on helping educators advance education by giving students a voice and a seat at the table. Our team focuses on adult learning theory to disrupt the status quo in schools and organizations using a practical, inspirational approach. I began testing parts of the serving educational equity framework with practitioners over the past few years. I assembled strategies from our recent day-to-day consulting experiences with schools and organizations to offer as best practices in this book.
Educational equity shines a spotlight on our expectations and asks us to reflect on how we hinder or elevate opportunities for students to have a better life. We should center a vision of excellence for every child, no matter their zip code, background, or linguistic ability. Our book supports practitioners with resources to operationalize educational equity using actionable practices that ensure educational equity for all students.
Gwendolyn Y. Turner
As I worked in suburban and urban educational settings, I realized that students enter a classroom expecting to learn, to be engaged, and to have their opinions matter and their voices heard. My beliefs, practices, and actions can profoundly impact the learning success of students regardless of their academic abilities, cultural background, or linguistic ability. We are not helping students complete assignments for class; we are assisting students in the tools they need for success in their lives. This is why I have embraced educational equity throughout my career. I believe that educational equity provides opportunities for all students to soar academically.
Our work as educators is to help students acquire the tools they need for both careers and life. Therefore, it is imperative that we provide instruction that meets students’ academic and social needs. Respecting the rights of students to experience rich, meaningful learning experiences has been the cornerstone of my work as an educator. This is a lesson that I have embraced in my work in this country and as a visiting instructor in Bolivia, Brazil, Thailand, and South Africa. I believe that students want to learn and experience success while learning. All students deserve intellectually challenging, relevant, and engaging learning activities in a supportive environment. Education is still the key that unlocks opportunities for students now and in their futures.
Table of Contents
Foreword
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Reviews
Sonya Murray and Gwen Turner offer a comprehensive, culturally affirming, whole-child approach to accelerating learning that connects theory and practice vividly, with passion and compassion. This book is a must-read for educators and parents who are determined to support children’s lives and learning so that they not only survive, but truly thrive.Linda Darling-Hammond, President
Learning Policy Institute, Professor Emeritus, Stanford University
This book presents an excellent step-by-step approach to a difficult concept and a clever, logical, go-to approach to integrating educational equity into teaching and student/family interaction. The use of scenarios helps teachers to relate to the discussions and approaches quickly. The format is accessible for an overworked teacher to pick up and implement quickly. With its many references and graphics, it will open new doors for those teachers who ‘knew’ that something was missing in reaching all their students. I recommend this book to all classroom teachers, administrators, and teacher educators; it is a rich accumulation of wisdom, experience, and logical thinking about a topic that is often misconceived or avoided.Dr. Jacquelyn A. Lewis-Harris
University of Missouri—St. Louis, College of Education, Connecting Human Origin and Cultural Diversity Program
Serving Educational Equity supports educators challenged by disrupted student learning. This timely new book guides educators on their journey for educational equity. Murray and Turner successfully developed an accessible resource for teachers, instructional leaders, and coaches established on evidence-based research centered on equity-focused practices. Serving Educational Equity offers readers the tools and strategies for educator self-reflection needed for them to develop the mindset to ensure that all students can learn and achieve.Dr. Karen I. Hall
Saint Louis University, School of Education
Serving Educational Equity is the book teachers have been looking for. It synthesizes all the best practices that are applicable to current teaching and learning while providing manageable explanations and connections across what may have been incorrectly perceived as unrelated concepts. Get ready to have all the dots connect!Saundra Mouton
Briarmeadow Charter School, Barbara Bush Elementary
The book provides a ton of practical visuals and tools that leadership teams can use in their schools… a great guide for meaningful discussion and professional growth.Dr. Jacie Maslyk
Instructional Coach and Consultant
This book would be an excellent choice as the foundation for a collaborative book study designed to strengthen teams of educators.Lena Marie Rockwood
Revere High School
This book is a must-read for educators! In fact, it is one of the best education books I have ever read! The topic of unfinished learning through acceleration will provide you with the needed support for student success. Each phase includes valuable vignettes, many resources, and much more.Dr. Ronda Gray
School of Education, University of Illinois at Springfield
Serving Educational Equity is essential reading for school personnel. The authors provide the strategies, research, tools and resources, based on their incredible experiences, to address the old chestnut—lost learning and student achievement. This will become your new school handbook!Dr. Ken Darvall
Tema International School
Students and educators have been through some difficult times these past few years, which has given us an opportunity for educators to take a renewed look at their practice. This book provides the reader with a fresh perspective for rejuvenation.Cathy Patterson, Retired Elementary Educator
Walnut Valley Unified School District
The book is highly comprehensive in covering the various aspects of teaching and learning that impact on equity and inclusion… It’s the kind of book you will come back to over and over again, getting different insights as you go through the questions at different times in your life.Rachael Lehr
Dayton Primary School
Other Titles in: Race, Ethnicity & Class | Teaching Strategies for Diverse Students | Cultural Competence
For Instructors
When you select 'request review copy', you will be redirected to Sage Publishing (our parent site) to process your request.
Related Professional Learning
Related WebinarsRelated Resources
- Accelerate and Advance the Educational Needs of All Students [Book excerpt]
- Serving Educational Equity [Podcast]