Family Schools and Communities
For this reflection paper I would like for you to imagine that you are a high school administrator who recently became aware of one of the following issues at your school (based on the option that you selected).
A. The faculty in the math department have expressed frustration with the performance of several Asian students who are new to the district. One teacher was overheard commenting, “I was really hoping that they were going to help our districts performance scores, but it doesn’t look like that will happen”. The school counselor has expressed concerns about the same students informing the principal of some emotional issues that she identified during a check in that she conducts with all new students.
B. The students in the school diversity club requested a meeting where they raised a number of concerns regarding perceived microaggressions from fellow students, faculty and members of the staff. Examples included Latino and Asian students being asked where they are from “originally” by a member of the front desk staff and several African-American students feeling that they were being singled out in their English class to share their perspectives (not answer specific questions) whenever the work of a Black author was being discussed.
C. The AP History, English and Math teachers have all expressed concerns regarding the performance of Latino and African-American students on the AP exams. These students perform well in class and were selected to participate in the courses based on GPA and teacher recommendations. However, they are under performing in comparison to their white peers. “These are some of our best students. I just can’t understand why the test is such a challenge?”
Your assignment is to write a memo to the faculty outlining the possible influence and impact of (model minorities, microaggressions or stereotype threat). Remember that these concepts will be new to many of your faculty and a potentially sensitive topic for students AND teachers. In your memo provide an outline of the concepts, detail the potential impacts for students, and offer one or two recommendations that you will implement to address the issue. Your memo should be 1-2 pages (no more than 650 words).