Developing Preservice Teachers' Equity Consciousness and Equity Literacy

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 7
  In Roundtable Session: Learning About and Planning for Equity and Justice Across the Teacher Continuum

Abstract

To achieve meaningful reform, educators must identify and dismantle barriers contributing to persistent achievement and opportunity gaps. To enact emancipatory change, educators must address equity issues at individual as well as systems levels. This work begins by developing equity consciousness and equity literacy in teacher preparation programs. This study explored the development of preservice teachers’ equity knowledge and dispositions during a teaching-coaching-reflection simulation. Through this instructional model, participants demonstrated increased equity consciousness and equity literacy, recognizing their assumptions about students’ lived experiences and the funds of knowledge students bring to the learning environment. Findings indicate this approach contributes to the development of the equity-based dispositions essential to dismantling current educational barriers and replacing them with inclusive and empowering instructional practices.

Authors

• Debra Bukko, California State University - Stanislaus

• Kimy Liu, California State University - Stanislaus