Case
Diversity in Honors/AP Classes

It is the end of the year and you are working on course recommendations for the next school year. Your department head has told you that administration wants more diversity in honors and AP classes and that she will be checking recommendations to make sure that you are not only recommending white students. You begin to feel fearful that you will be labeled racist if you do not include more students of other races. However, you don't feel comfortable placing students in classes where they won't be successful for the sake of diversity. What would you do?

Posted on: 03/13/15 | Views: 1182
Solution #1
Top Solution
I would try my hardest to identify students who possess the characteristics and abilities needed to be successful in an AP/ Honors class. If I did not identify a student from a minority group then I would approach my principal to let him know why you were unable to recommend certain minority students. Here it would be important to provide research you conducted as well as background information that you found that will support your fear for placing them in an advanced class looking at past class performance and test scores.

I agree. If you have data to support your reasonings, then you should carry on and only suggest those whom you believe to be the best fit for those classes.

I think this is a good course of action!

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Solution #2
I would carefully look at my students grades and achievements very, very closely to truly make sure that they can be read for AP classes. I would at first look at my more diverse students first, then work my way to the white students. It is also good to talk to students who I feel might be ready to make sure that they are emotionally ready. If they are not comfortable with going to a higher class next semester then I won't recommend them.
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Solution #3
One possible solution is to survey your class and ask who wants to be recommended. There may be many students who aren't White that are still wiling to take those classes even though they may fail and vice-versa.

This is a good idea. After surveying the class, you could speak individually with those interested to be sure that they understand the commitment required for the difficult classes.

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Solution #4
I feel like it is important to take the diversity into account but it must not guide the decision completely. Any student who is ready for the AP courseload should be recommended for the program and all other students must be thoroughly encouraged throughout the school year to do well and work towards that goal as well.
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Solution #5
Teachers must take into account student's overall progress and readiness regardless of their origins. They must encourage all students to do their best and perform at their optimal points.
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Solution #6
I would look over all appropriate that are doing well and place them in that class. I would keep checking in with my supervisor as well and let them know why I chose that student and show documentation as to why I chose that student.
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Solution #7
Do your best to find minority students that will be successful in the honors courses. I understand the principles wanting for diversity, but pushing a child to a level they wont be successful at is cruel. Try your best to find these students, they are out there! If you can only find a few, document and present to your administrator your reasoning for not placing certain students in the honors classroom.
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Solution #8
I would ensure that I was keeping a record of the data for all students by using Data Checks and upon that information I would make my recommendations. Each student should be held to the same standards when being recommended and their race should not play a factor. This is something that should be reserved for students who put in the effort and whose work physically backs that up. Keep a detailed record of everything and you should not feel fearful whatsoever.
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Solution #9
I would ensure that I have done the same background checks on all students grades, quality of work, and overview of efforts to guarantee I was being fair across the board for all students.
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Solution #10
I would simply make sure that I utilized the same baseline data to "score" all of my students on their qualifications to be recommended for AP/ Honors classes. I would not fear being labeled racist if I could provide measurable data to signify I used the same standards of measurement to assess all of my students.
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Solution #11
I would tell the administration that I do not feel comfortable placing any students in a class if they were not ready or would not be successful.

This is a simple solution, but sometimes the best solutions are! As a professional, you should not feel threatened to make any decision based off of a comment from a higher up. You are qualified. You know what to be looking for in students to pass them on to such difficult classes. Trust yourself and know that you are doing the best you can.

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