Educational Equity and Science and Mathematics

Raynice Jean-Sigur, Ph.D.

Educational Equity

Inequality still exists in today’s schools– De facto segregation ( housing patterns and

flight of middle class population from urban areas)

Equality of the results, and equality of opportunity

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

Educational Projections

By the year 2020, European American students will be a minority in the nation’s 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.

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

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)

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)

•

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

Educational Equity Exists When Certain Conditions Exist

Statistics on Science and Mathematics African Americans make up 12% of population but

only 5 % hold bachelor’s 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 bachelor’s 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 bachelor’s degrees and only 13% have Ph.D. in mathematics and science. 10% of all scientists and engineers.

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

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