Investing in Teachers as a Primary Lever for Increasing Educational Equity

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 10
  In Roundtable Session: Equity, Accessibility, and Quality in Transformative Education

Abstract

Why is the grammar of schooling so resistant to change and how can we begin to re-write it? We share the results of a 5 year professional learning program with high school STEM teachers working in low income and racially and linguistically diverse communities. As a result of iterative cycles of action research, summer institutes, and self-directed professional growth activities, this group of teachers replaced many iconic practices of traditional STEM classrooms with standards-based grading, community-driven content, and student-centered pedagogy. Based on these achievements, we offer recommendations about how best to invest in teacher learning, growth, and leadership development.

Authors

• Pia I. Wong, California State University - Sacramento

• Jenna Porter, California State University - Sacramento

• Sarah Ives, California State University, Sacramento