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School And Classroom Practices That Validate And Value Similarities And Differences Among Students

Decent Essays

Were they really concerned about Jerry’s success? Lindsey, Robins, and Terell (2009) denounces, “this system of oppression existed because those who benefited from existing practices felt no need to address disparities” (p.75). Standard 5 of the Florida Leadership Standards mandates, “promotes school and classroom practices that validate and value similarities and differences among students”. An inclusive learning environment could have resulted in empathy. If the students could understand that everyone reacts differently, some problems could be avoided. Moreover, a differentiated classroom could have guided Jerry’s effort to use a positive approach to attain his academic goals. Teachers could have used a differentiation approach to keep Jerry’s attention in the task and away from distractors. Tomlinson and Allan (2000) describe the differentiated classroom as flexible. They continue explaining the principle, “all students consistently work with “respectful” activities and learning arrangements” (p. 7). However, differentiation takes time and effort. It was easier to have an associate to look for Jerry’s negative behavior to evidence that he did not belong in the regular setting. This way, the faculty continues the teaching and learning process as if the students were homogenous. Since most of the students benefited, there was no need in the educator’s mindset for change to address disparities or achievement gaps. When the IEP met again, they decided to

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