EDUC 233 - Diversity in Today’s Schools

Explores the cultural issues that impact the learning environment and student achievement. Students will engage in topics on prejudice, implicit biases, assumptions, systemic racism, sexism, and classism that contribute to systemic inequities and achievement gaps that exist in schools today. Through an understanding of social justice, students will acquire the dispositions, cultural knowledge, and competencies to adapt curricular and instructional skills for culturally responsive classroom practices. Students will search for effective strategies to improve learning for all students in a culturally diverse population. Students will reflect on case studies and discuss ways to make education more equitable while maintaining the integrity of individual differences. Students spend 40 hours assisting in a classroom that serves a high minority of diverse populations. Students must have a favorable background check and clear drug screen during the first two weeks of class as it is required for placement in all Illinois schools. Prerequisite(s): ENGL 131 or concurrent enrollment and C or better in EDUC 231. (PCS 1.1, 3 credit hours - 3 hours lecture, 0 hours lab)