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Trauma and Disparities in the Classroom Discussion
Completion requirements
Purpose
Many
students think that the purpose of a discussion is just busy work.
However, discussions have a real purpose where students are able to think critically and apply knowledge to real-life situations. This discussion is just that! In the state of NC, actually, all over the country, children are expelled from child care centers at an alarming rate. Yes, that is right children that are a few months of age up to the age of five are expelled from child care programs.
However, expulsion in early childhood education is not an intervention. Over a decade of research and data tell us that the policies and practices of suspension and expulsion in early childhood, which disproportionately affect children of color, are causing harm to children and families.
Now that you have learned about Trauma-Informed Practices it is important to acknowledge that there are racial inequities in preschool discipline. This conversation is hard but it is something that needs to be discussed.
Expectations for respectful dialogue
We all come to the table with differing experiences and viewpoints,
which means that we have so much to learn from each other! In order to get the most out of this opportunity, it is important that we don’t shy away from differences. Rather, we should show respect for differences by seeking to understand, asking questions, clarifying our understanding,
and/or respectfully explaining our own perspective. This way, everybody comes away with new perspectives on the issue and respecting others with different values or beliefs.
If someone says something that bothers
you for any reason, assume that your peer did not mean to be offensive
and ask your peer to clarify what they meant. Then explain the impact it
had on you. If your classmates tell you that something you said or
wrote bothered them, assume that they are not attacking you, but rather
that they are sharing something that might be important for you to know.
Additionally, this assignment will help you practice/gain the following:
Skills
- computer skills, including use of Canvas (initial and reply discussion forum posts, discussion rubrics, grades/instructor feedback)
- netiquette and effective communication skills
- critical thinking and professionalism in written assignments
- reflection and critical thinking
- ownership of learning experience
Knowledge
- Canvas LMS (learning management system)
- SCC Netiquette Rule
- Syllabus/course requirements
- Community of Inquiry
The Assignment:
Everyone read the following and watch the video:
- Read the article from researchers from Yale Child Study Center, implicit bias may help to explain the relatively high expulsion rates for black children (2016) https://news.yale.edu/2016/09/27/implicit-bias-may-explain-high-preschool-expulsion-rates-black-children (Links to an external site.)
- Read the Division of Child Development and Early Education Suspension and Expulsion Policy Statement (Links to an external site.) This statement was written in 2017 in response to the discussions about suspensions and expulsions of children from child care at alarming rates.
- Watch the video below and then answer the questions below the discussion:
Answer the following: Students will choose one of the following to respond to based on the first letter of their last name:
1. Students whose last name begins with A - E do the following:
- Answer the following questions:
- Compare and contrast the preschool expulsion article to your own biases in the classroom. (NAEYC 4a)
- Describe children who you track with your eyes and why? (NAEYC 4d)
- Discuss how this knowledge from the video, article, and DCDEE Policy Statement will affect the way you teach in the future. (NAEYC 6d)
2. Students whose last name begins with H - L do the following:
- Answer the following questions after watching the video:
- As you looked at the title of the video, before you hit the play button, what did you assume, the content of the video would be? (NAEYC 4d)
- After reviewing the article and DCDEE Policy Statement, what else do you want to know/learn about the topic? (NAEYC 6d)
- Name 3 of the most important pieces of conversation you heard in the video and why. (NAEYC 4a)
3. Students whose last name begins with M - R do the following:
- Answer the following questions:
- Discuss your opinion/emotions of the article on the high expulsion rates of black children. (NAEYC 4d)
- Discuss what would you add/take away from the policy statement based on your experiences with children? (NAEYC 4a)
- After watching the video above from Rosemarie Allen (in #2), discuss what would you change about the policy statement? Why? (NAEYC 6d)
4. Students whose last name begins with S - Y do the following:
- Answer the following questions, while thinking back to the video, the article, and the DCDEE Policy Statement.
- Discuss how the teacher's behavior impacts the safety of the classroom for all children. Share a suggestion of teacher's behavior that should be added to the Policy statement. (NAEYC 4a)
- Discuss how a child is disciplined, expelled, or suspended affects the social/emotional development of the child, the other children, and the teachers in the classroom. (NAEYC 4d)
- Based on what you now know, discuss what a teacher should do to ensure safety in the classroom when challenging behaviors occur. (NAEYC 6d)
- Discuss how the teacher's behavior impacts the safety of the classroom for all children. Share a suggestion of teacher's behavior that should be added to the Policy statement. (NAEYC 4a)
Remember to reply to at least three classmates by Tuesday evening! You are not restricted as to whom you respond to you. This will help engage you in all of the questions in this discussion! The initial post is due by Sunday evening.
Review the grading rubric for this discussion to earn the highest possible points!