Equity
Phase 2 

"Look-Fors" During Observation
Remember: The most helpful part of the observation is not checking off items, but the conversations and reflections that happen after the visit.  

Beginning/ Developing

• Teacher displays racial, ethnic, and cultural materials only during designated heritage months.
• Teacher does not ask students to make connections to what they are learning with their own lives.
• Teacher over uses mainstream culture as examples of real life experience.

Practicing/ Achieving

• Lesson is taught from a culturally inclusive perspective.
• Instructional materials, visuals, and student work in the classroom reflect the racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds represented by students.
• Teacher relies on strengths of language, culture, and family background when working with students.
• An asset-based approach to teaching and learning is reflected consistently in the classroom supporting the development of positive self-image and extending high expectations for all students.

Questions to Guide Observation 

• Does the lesson use students’ real-life experiences to connect school learning to students’ lives?
• ​How are the racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds represented in the classroom and in student output?

Resources

• Closing the Gap: Creating Equity in the Classroom: This report from Hanover Research highlights classroom strategies, tips, and approaches to close the equity gap.
• Critical Practices for Anti-bias Education, a resource by Perspectives for a Diverse America and Teaching Tolerance, is full of anti-bias strategies and practices in the following areas: Instruction, Classroom Culture, Family and Community Engagement, and Teacher Leadership.
• 5 ways to Build an Asset-based Mindset in Educational Partnerships from EducationWeek, by Jennifer D. Klein,  highlights the importance of building on the strengths of students to create cultures of equity.
• How to Be a Global Thinker from ASCD, by Veronica Boix-Mansillashares strategies for increasing cultural competence in all students. 

Diversity in Design, Coaching Tool
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Diversity in Design, Coaching Tool
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