Social Justice and Equity in Education Conference - “From Conversation to Practi

Schools have the potential to foster equitable and diverse communities in our state, but without intentionality, they can be places of discrimination and harm for underrepresented students. In this session, three students from Ankeny Centennial, Cedar Falls and Iowa City West will break down the current situation of what education is like for BIPOC students in Iowa. The reality is that profound disparities and discrimination exist in Iowa’s education system, including in school discipline, graduation rates, school curriculum, and that students’ race and identity impact countless parts of their life and the most effective teaching happens when educators work to understand and empower the diversity in their classroom. Through research sharing and storytelling, these student experts will discuss how certain culturally responsive teaching strategies would better support the mental health and academic potential of BIPOC students. This session will also examine how such teaching strategies and guiding educational principles would foster an equitable school culture beyond the classroom. This includes the incorporation of culturally responsive practices into school disciplinary practices and special education services to combat racial disparities.