Educational Equity and Science and Mathematics

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Educational Equity and Science and Mathematics

• Raynice Jean-Sigur, Ph.D.

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Educational Equity

• Inequality still exists in todays schools
• De facto segregation ( housing patterns and
  flight of middle class population from urban
  areas)
• Equality of the results, and equality of
  opportunity

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History of Educational Equity

• 50 year period search for equality and search for
  community
• Brown vs. Board of Education-banished separate
  but equal in education start of integration of
  schools basis for many other court cases for
  equality for students and education

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Educational Projections

• By the year 2020, European American students will
  be a minority in the nations schools
• 2000-2005 period, Latino and African American and
  other minority students in urban areas will
  experience a form of de facto segregated
  schooling because of such factors as housing and
  immigration patterns, white flight, escalating
  violence.

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What is Equity?

• It is logical and has different interpretations
• It should be defined by the way it will guide the
  work needed
• The interpretation of the definition may cause
  debate
• The interpretation may vary across settings

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Definitions of Equity

• Method of distributing resources to groups and is
  linked to excellence regardless of race,
  ethnicity, economic status etc (Sirotnick)
• Providing children with and educational
  opportunity and what they find when they arrive
  at that opportunity (Eisner)
• Equity is not to be confused with sameness in
  education or equality or identical
  experiences-equity my require different treatment
  according to relevant differences. (Bennett)

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More on Equity

• Equity for minority students can be achieved
  through school wide reform
• Examine quality and nature of school curriculum
  for diverse student body and high quality
  programs for all students
• Classroom teachers should reflect on their
• Self-knowledge
• Knowledge of cultural values and behavior codes
  of students
• Knowledge of learning and teaching
• Cross-cultural communication and skills (Gay)

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Educational Equity Exists When Certain Conditions
Exist

• Physical and financial conditions-students should
  have the opportunity to study in schools that are
  similar in terms of physical dimensions,
  attractiveness, educational equipment and safety.
  
• Money spend on students education should be
  equivalent
• Quality of teachers should be similar
• Educational Outcomes should be similar
• Opportunity to learn should be equivalent

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Statistics on Science and Mathematics

• African Americans make up 12 of population but
  only 5 hold bachelors degrees and 1 have
  Ph.D. in math and science. Only 2 are employed
  as scientists and engineers
• Hispanic Americans make up 9 of population yet
  0.3 hold bachelors degrees and holy 0.11 have
  Ph.D. is science and engineering. 0.3 are
  scientists and engineers
• Women represent 43 of population but only 22
  have bachelors degrees and only 13 have Ph.D.
  in mathematics and science. 10 of all scientists
  and engineers.

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Why underrepresentation?

• Negative attitudes toward math and science
• Limited extra curricular activities around math
  and science
• Lack of information about science related careers
• Test scores
• Lack of role models

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What can teachers do?

• Exposure to famous scientists and mathematicians
  and role models
• Encourage diversity and science and math
• Exposure to extra curricular activities and
  science and math
• Include diverse learning styles in teaching
• Provide workshops and assistance with science and
  math concepts