Preservice Teachers' Attitudes About Discussing Race and Racism in the Classroom

• In Event: Why Can't We Talk About Race? Challenging the Race-Evasive Culture of Teacher Education and Teaching

Abstract

Addressing race and racism in the classroom is a challenge for preservice teachers. This current study examined preservice teachers’ (N = 50) views about the appropriateness of discussing race and racism in K-12 classrooms, along with their hypothetical responses to scenarios in which opportunities to discuss racism occur in their future classrooms. Results show that preservice teachers believe the responsibility of teaching students about racism and racial bias should be equally shared between parents and schools. However, their responses to hypothetical vignettes indicate that they are likely to miss opportunities to address race and racism in the classroom.

Authors

• Meagan M. Patterson, The University of Kansas

• Ge Yu, University of Kansas