Our team is always seeking the latest news in the field of education. As advocates for a quality education for ALL students, we know we have to stay up-to-date on everything that’s going on in the education spheres of our nation…from the White House to the local public school district, from new legislation to the small acts of bravery and kindness made by a single teacher, from the milestones and celebrations to the hazardous injustices affecting many of our nations students.

This week, we’re focusing on bias in schools. We hope you enjoy the articles we have selected!

 

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How feeling respected transforms a student’s relationship to school via PBS

PBS looks at the importance of making a student feel respected in school, especially in light of recent suspension rates. University of California, Los Angeles recent released a study showing the benefits of cutting suspension rates for both students and taxpayers.

“In- and out-of-school suspensions have come under increasing scrutiny as a discipline tactic. One recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles, estimates that because suspensions are so closely linked to later school dropout and referrals to law enforcement, cutting the 16 percent nationwide rate for all 10th grade suspensions by even 1 percentage point could save taxpayers $691 million over students’ lives.”

 

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‘Clock Boy’ Ahmed Mohamed Sues, Citing Bias in Texas Schools — and Has the Stats to Prove It via The 74 Million

Last year, Ahmed Mohamed made headlines when he was suspended for bringing a homemade clock to school. Now, he and his family are suing the city and school district because, as recent data shows, his suspension wasn’t an anomaly. In Ahmed’s city of Irving, Texas, African Americans are disproportionately suspended, but even that data isn’t as bad as the national average.

“The family’s action comes even as the disproportionate number of suspensions received by African-American students has become a national education issue and anti-Muslim bigotry remains widespread. Mohamed, the family argues, was the victim of both forms of discrimination.”

 

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Want To Address Teachers’ Biases? First, Talk About Race via NPR

Why are black students less likely to be labeled as gifted, but more likely to be suspended? What happens if a teacher’s attitude towards race affects their ability to make judgement calls? Ayana Coles is trying to change that in her school.

“According to study after study after study, teachers’ behaviors — often directed by conscious or unconscious biases — affect students’ lives, from passing students to the next grade, to discipline.”

 

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Did any of these articles particularly speak to you? We would love to know your thoughts! Let us know in the comments below: