Closing the Gap on Educational Disparities

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Closing the Gap on Educational Disparities

• Dr. Daria Paul Dona
• College of Education
• Minnesota State University-Mankato

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Indicators of Disparity

• Differences in achievement among groups defined
  by race, language proficiency and SES.
• Differences in proportion of students from
  different race, language proficiency and SES
  groups in special education programs
• Differences in available resources and teacher
  quality among schools and districts

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2005 MN NAEP Reading ScoresMinnesota Department
of Education
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2005 MN NAEP Math ScoresMinnesota Department of
Education
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2005 MCA Scores-Reading Grade 10 (
Proficient)Minnesota Department of Education
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(No Transcript)
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Preparing for our Future

• What should be evaluated ?
• What types of data should be collected?
• What resources currently exist?
• What resources are lacking?
• What collaborations should be formed?
• What organizational policies and procedures are
  needed?

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Framework for Data Gathering and Analysis

• Winfields (1991) Four Dimensional Axis

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Dimension I

• Multi-Dimensional Assessment
• Problem-Solving Model
• Problem Identification
• Problem Certification
• Exploring Solutions
• Evaluating Solutions
• Problem Solution

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Dimension 2

• School community Involvement
• Promote resilience in families
• Reduce risk factors
• Ensure equitable access to human and tangible
  resources
• Honor cultural traditions and styles

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Dimension 3

• Culturally Responsive Instruction
• Teachers act as
• Cultural organizers
• Cultural mediators
• Cultural orchestrators
• Validators of student cultures

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Dimension 4

• Collaborative Governance
• Site-based Decision-making
• Interculturally Competent leaders
• Community diversity represented
• Community support for
• Intercultural communication
• and Leadership Training