#caedchat is for California educators, by California educators. All are welcome as moderators and participants discuss issues that emerge in California education, which are generally applicable to other regions of the United States.
I will post questions with Q1, Q2,. Participants respond with A1, A2,etc
#caedchat tip:Use TweetDeck and have two columns open for the chat: one for real time and one for where you are in the chat
To participate in the chat, be sure to use the #caedchat hashtag on every tweet.
A1 Equality in education is complex. I think about it a lot. I teach the poorest children in my community. I cannot wrap my brain around the accepted idea that their are "good" schools and "bad" schools in our system. #notok#everykidgetsagoodschool#caedchat
Class size plays a huge role in how teachers can equitably teach their students. An overcrowded room means that one-on-one help goes only to students vocal enough to ask for help and even then, time is limited in typical classes. #caedchat@TabaldoOnTech
A1: Equity in education is both a simple and complex idea. Simple in the fact that everyone gets what they need and complex in the fact that getting everyone everything they need is sometimes a daunting task. #CAedchat
A1: Equity in Education means giving all students opportunities to participate in the learning process. This includes differentiated support for various students, such as sentence starters for ELLs, so they can access and engage with the learning prompts #caedchat@TabaldoOnTech
In reply to
@JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat, @TabaldoOnTech
A1: Equity in education is fairness seasoned with a respect for how all students differ. It is not sameness. It is rather equality of opportunity. #caedchat
A1 Equity in education is providing and allocating needed resources to every student despite their background. People tend to confuse equity and equality. Equality is providing every student a pair of shoes and equity is prvinding a pair of shoes that fits. #caedchat
Equity in education is giving every student the resources they need to succeed. Equity in education is providing students the academic, emotional, mental, and personal resources they need. Equity in education is also teaching students cultural revelant pedagogy. #caedchat
A1: First thing that comes to mind is our work in building a full inclusion school. I think equality in ed means all Ss are given the instruction that 'they' need to understand each lesson. At time's it's the right to move on & try again later. #caedchat
A1: Equity is when we build bridges for ALL our learners in our classrooms. It means cultivating access.We remind ourselves that every student has an individual need & it is our responsibility to help meet our Ss where they are. #caedchat@TabaldoOnTech
In reply to
@JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat, @TabaldoOnTech
Right? But what is the first thing people ask when they move to an area: "Where is are the good schools?" it has become a norm #everyschoolshouldbethegoodschool#caedchat
A1: Equity in education is achieved when the opportunity gap is closed while maintaining an environment that recognizes and honors the cultural of those served. Maximizing human potential #caedchat
Equity in education is providing students the academic, emotional, mental, and personal resources they need. Equity in education is also teaching students cultural revelant pedagogy. #caedchat#ProfTabaldo
#CAedchat Want tools on how T's & S's benefit from activities designed to bring ALL members of the classroom into community, creating a safe, equitable learning environment? FOLLOW @_coolclassroom & check out Carla Tantillo Philibert. CLICK: https://t.co/66AFEf4waW for info
A1: For most of my career I viewed equity something we gave children, by treating them equally or fairly. The past few years I’ve come to view equity more about student access, voice, opportunity & leadership! #caedchat
A1 When I start to think about equity - -I get a little overwhelmed. I want every kid to have access to everything that supports their empowerment and yet I am one teacher #caedchat teaching is a tremendous responsibility
A1: Equity in education is meeting our students where they're at, working to build on the foundation they already possess. It requires a genuine understanding of each student along with a belief that ALL students can learn. #caedchat@TabaldoOnTech
In reply to
@JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat, @TabaldoOnTech
I agree it is very complex and I think thats why it is so necessary to approach our education issues around equity and not equality. We has a society need to evaluate the concept of fair and what is right towards what is needed for every child to be successful. #caedchat
A2: Students learn best when they can build a relationship with their teacher. When class sizes get so high, the relationships and connections to students can suffer. #caedchat
A2: An overcrowded classroom means that teachers cannot be as responsive to the individual needs of students. This limits how personalized education can be, which in turn limits equity in the classroom #caedchat@TabaldoOnTech
In reply to
@JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat, @TabaldoOnTech
A2. Giving students what they need to be successful can be difficult when managing different personalities with limited resources. Want to pull small groups of 5? Well now you have 35 other students who need to have an activity and stay on task. #caedchat#Proftabaldo
A2 It is really difficult to build a strong connected community when you've got large classes. It becomes a constant battle of logistics -- enough chairs or tables or books -- not learning. #caedchat
A2) first-classes over 40 should be a crime. How can we equitably reach our students when there’s one of us, 40 plus of them and 7 hours a day to work with. That’s works it’s way down to 1 student every 10 minutes or so, if you want to be equitable ;) #CaEdChat
Yes! Voice, choice, and a decision on how they can relay the information being taught to them. As teachers we should put forth learning outcomes, but give students leeway on how they present this information #caedchat
A2: Overcrowded classrooms just make it that much more difficult to differentiate instruction. The larger the class, the easier it is for Ss to get lost in the shuffle. #caedchat
A2b class size is..
The difference between teaching and babysitting.
The difference between knowing they got it and hoping they got it. The difference between loving school and counting the days. #CAedchat
A2: Overcrowded classroom prevents Ts from giving each of their Ss the education and attention they need. Ts are not able to give students the feedback that Ss need and worst not preparing them to be successful in college. #caedchat@TabaldoOnTech
A2: it’s not just the practical challenges of instruction and relationship-building. An overcrowded classroom sends an unspoken message that this system is not designed for your learning #caedchat
A2 #caedchat I discovered that the magic number is right around 22 -- anything over that and you lose a strong sense of community. At that point - give me 29 or give me 47, we won't be as connected
A2. Dealt with some classes of 40 at my MS. It makes being innovative a scary task. I put off so many ideas because I worried about it not working with my class sizes. #caedchat#proftabaldo
A2: Class size plays a huge role in how teachers can equitably teach their students. An overcrowded room means that one-on-one help goes only to students vocal enough to ask for help and even then, time is limited in typical classes. #caedchat@TabaldoOnTech
In reply to
@JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat, @TabaldoOnTech
A2: An overcrowded classroom is a systemic problem where our Ss do not have access to personalized learning for their NEEDS. It is unjust. Not only that, it is unsustainable for a T & we need T's who are sustained to give our Ss quality learning. #caedchat#ProfTabaldo
A2: if someone offered you a job and took you on a tour of the office, and there weren’t enough desks, chairs, etc., and too many people for the office space, you’d walk. You’d know this is not a serious offer #caedchat
A2: I’m thinking of this Q systemically... beyond fiscal obligations... HMW uncover the parameters for school boards/eduleaders for which to make this decision? #caedchat
A2 My highest number was 36 and that was so difficult. Some kids sat in the window sill because we were out of desks. Nothing innovative happened -- it was too complex with that many humans. Just grading essays was a marathon #caedchat
A2: ... Some ideas that would have helped a small struggling segment of my SS were not put into practice due to class size concerns. #caedchat#ProfTabaldo
Right Jen! The number should not be related to how many students can physically fit into your space. It should be based on how many students we can successfully share in the learning process together without sacrificing relationships. . #caedchat
A2 #caedchat I discovered that the magic number is right around 22 -- anything over that and you lose a strong sense of community. At that point - give me 29 or give me 47, we won't be as connected
agree...I find that our district follows the equality part - school sites such as the one I work at need more counseling, behavioral, and academic supports yet we don't get them (ex 1 counselor per site regardless of the need) #CAedChat
Q3: Some schools place different class sizes on different subjects. Is it fair to teachers and students to lower class sizes for one subject, but not do the same to others? #caedchat@CAedchat
Absolutely Rick! Students do not all learning the same. Overcrowding almost forces lessons to be cookie cutter, leaving many students behind, or unable to get individual help. #caedchat
A2: Overcrowded classrooms just make it that much more difficult to differentiate instruction. The larger the class, the easier it is for Ss to get lost in the shuffle. #caedchat
A2: I teach 3rd and have 27 Ss (my cap is 30) - bc we are composed of 50% of ELLs in a low socio-economic location it is very difficult to meet the needs of all students #CAedChat (not to say I don't try)
A3. I believe it isn’t fair to treat subjects that way! I believe it has to do with the weight of standardized testing and what that means for schools! #caedchat#ProfTabaldo
A3: it’s complex. I know I keep going back to this. I understand where admin are coming from with having to manage S population. At the same time, it makes you wish you taught a different subject when you see your peers with smaller class sizes. #CaEdChat
Other than PE, choir or band (what's a band Mr. Kiyuna, it's really fun, noisy and it helps your brain kids) what subjects tend to be bigger and why? #caedchat
A3: I’ve never understood why high school English teacher’s don’t have smaller classes. I definitely think class size should not be based on one formula. In education the answer is always “It depends” #caedchat
A3: I was once told that Math Classes were capped at 32, but my Science class could go to 40. I asked why and was told more students struggle in math. Physics and chemistry have math + FIRE. My first thought was safety during labs. #caedchat
Q3: Some schools place different class sizes on different subjects. Is it fair to teachers and students to lower class sizes for one subject, but not do the same to others? #caedchat@CAedchat
A3: assuming we’re not talking about SPED or other ability issues, and just purely subject area, I would lean towards a yes. The grading load for HS English teachers involves reading thousands of pages of student writing. #caedchat
A3: also for safety sake, you’d want some different caps on science lab classes, anything involving materials and equipment that could cause injury #caedchat
A2: I’ve taught classes of 12 & classes of 36. The class of 12 had 6th, 7th & 8th grader’s, ELL’s with 9 different languages. The class of 36 was an Art class. Both classes were difficult to teach. I cannot imagine a class of 40 or more with only one teacher. #caedchat
A3 if we really wanted to teach reading skills, or maths skills, or science skills, we should have these sweet little pods of like 10-12 students #imagineit#caedchat
A4: I don’t think it’s okay to say one subject more important than the other by only limiting class sizes for some. All Ss need opportunity to be successful— and for some that’s going to be in “non core” subject areas #CAedchat
A3: districts gotta look beyond what they’ve been doing - to something different to address section over crowdedness - perhaps the master schedule ? @UnlockingTime@ablschools#CAedchat
Of course - CA school districts vary so much in funding and the inequities play out in so many ways. Unfortunately. The LCFF is a modest attempt to address inequity but it’s only a start #caedchat
In reply to
@jellison23, @MrsBarnett_Tchr, @JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat
A3: Absolutely unfair. It is unsustainable for a teacher to grade THAT many papers / tests (40+?!). It may also be a safety hazard for that many students to be in one room. #caedchat#ProfTabaldo
I don’t see it as statement that one subject is more important, but rather that the realities of instructional methods are not identical. Though, yes, it’s a sensitive topic. #caedchat
Q4: How can the removal or addition of enrichment activities (after school or school electives) directly affect equity in whole school inclusion. What activities can help to include more students? #caedchat@caedchat
that part that bothers me is that it's being ignored or if it's brought up you look crazy for saying something ... the conversations need to be there #CAedChat
In reply to
@CohenD, @jellison23, @JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat
... and with fleeting and/or rising enrollment numbers ... due to economic factors... things will change in 2/3 years for districts 3 yr LCAP work #CAedchat
In reply to
@CohenD, @jellison23, @MrsBarnett_Tchr, @JoeMarquez70, @CAedchat
A4 #caedchat we need more opportunities and enrichment! It opens doors and can cause a kid to actually VALUE school. I always say that drama saves live -- kids stay in school to be in the play!!
Hey #CAedchat Check out Carla Tantillo Philibert & follow @classcatalyst designed to give S’s & T’s a way to raise awareness of their emotional needs & the tools to get themselves ready-to-learn. CLICK for 2 min video: https://t.co/18BuhlAyi1 & https://t.co/WqE5UJQtgm for more!
A4: I will always before the addition of electives and after-school activities. I believe that this builds additional capacity for students to see that school is a place for everyone and that everyone has it own niche-they just need to find it. #CaEdChat
Saw your comment about science and thought, good point! Safety should def be a consideration. And I guess as an elem T, I don’t relate well to this Q. For me, I want a small class size, period. It’s just too challenging to personalize instruction the larger the class #CAedchat
A4: Gaps in social capital and knowledge are one of the primary obstacles when it comes to eliminating educational inequities. Enrichment activities can help to bridge some of these gaps, especially for students in low-income communities. #caedchat
A4: ALL children deserve to “taste from the candy box” After school enrichment may be the only way they will ever know what a “truffle ” is or if they like it 😉#caedchat
A4 I coach an after school leadership class but not like you think. We seek out students who need support to become part of the community. It has been amazing. They got together and made the Mayor of our city add lights to their neighborhood. #caedchat
A4. What about the students who don’t want to enter stem fields or a “normal” job? Who are talented in ways that can’t be graded on a rubric. Children are still trying to figure who they want 2 be. Providing these opportunities gives them a chance to look #caedchat#ProfTabaldo
A4: I am a big believer in enrichment activities. Some of my exciting teaching years were ones in which we did field trips to extend learning. #caedchat
A4: removal has had a negative affect (especially at sites that have Ss who can't afford activities outside of school)
adding is always a positive for the same reason - AND Ss tend to do better in school when part of something bigger #CAedChat
A4 so many things are selected for schools because of "future careers". We should value our students regardless of their chosen careers. They are more valuable than what they some day produce #caedchat
A4: The more diverse the availability of enrichment activities the better our chances of getting every student involved. I recently discovered #esports. I though it was crazy then I saw what @fresnounified did with thier #FUeL team and the diversity at their event. #caedchat
A4: but once again this has to do with $$ - the schools that have a Booster or strong PTA can afford such activities and those that don't can't #CAedChat
A4: Gaps in social capital and knowledge are one of the primary obstacles when it comes to eliminating educational inequities. Enrichment activities can help to bridge some of these gaps, especially for students in low-income communities. #caedchat
A4 This is the Mathew Effect. Parents that don't pay for extra in early years, have kids that don't get to be involved in later years, especially with sports. #CAedchat
Q4: How can the removal or addition of enrichment activities (after school or school electives) directly affect equity in whole school inclusion. What activities can help to include more students? #caedchat@caedchat
A4 #caedchat I am a TOSA assigned to ONE school to teach computers. I had a kid who couldn't add or subtract studying bezier curves so he could animate something. #hedidit Enrichment made him see himself as a maths person -- for life
A4: Connecting kids to the community through enrichment activities provides relevance, builds aspirations and gives kids hope, support and a purpose #caedchat
The addition of programs always help distract students in a healthy way and allows them to find their own group of people they can rely. I believe we should have more financial literacy and post high school life programs. #caedchat
A3: Adjusting class size by subject can make sense, & be done successfully, but that seems to work best when a staff & stake-holders in a school work with counselors & administrators to make those decisions. #caedchat
Yes, when students feel they belong, they do better in school. My favorite is when an enrichment activity can bring students together from divers backgrounds or social groups and bond over a common interest. #caedchat
A4: removal has had a negative affect (especially at sites that have Ss who can't afford activities outside of school)
adding is always a positive for the same reason - AND Ss tend to do better in school when part of something bigger #CAedChat
A4: Part of equity in education is helping Ss to "see anew;" to develop new contexts for understanding. Enrichment activities as well as #PBL in the classroom help do that. #caedchat
A4 I love the way that enrichment classes can bring connections to the most unlikely combinations #caedchat . I love when students say with surprise: Mrs. E, we BOTH love . . . and 2 kids are bonded
YES YES YES! even skill specific courses (cooking/baking, wood work, mechanics) - college worked for me but it's not for everyone and we still need citizens that are productive #CAedChat
A4: As a first-generation, low-income POC it was important for me to be a part of something other than the classroom. It helps build community & joy in learning. Our Ss deserve that opportunity and more #caedchat#ProfTabaldo
A4: From the perspective of human abilities aptitudes & skills it's a travesty. Until we know how to identify all of these skills & replicate them in the classroom we should not marginalize Ss this way. #caedchat
agree...I was a dancer for many years growing up then was able to qualify for the HS song team and later college dance team - I worked hard academically and built relationships #CAedChat
My debate class discussed this at LENGTH -- according to webster's a sport is: any activity where two teams can earn points while competing against each other - thus cheerleading during a competition is a sport (their debate topic) #caedchat
In reply to
@CohenD, @KatieJMcNamara, @JoeMarquez70, @fresnounified
So… debate=sport? This has been an ongoing debate in my house for months. My kids vs. me. My main issue is that the programmers control so much. We all “run” the same speed or “jump” the same height if we press a certain button, for example. #caedchat
In reply to
@jellison23, @KatieJMcNamara, @JoeMarquez70, @fresnounified
IT IS THE BEST GIG EVER -- Know what my boss said to me? "I don't want them to just play games on the computer. I want them to use tech to do something" . BEST JOB IN THE WORLD #caedchat We are a Title 1 school and are kids do more with tech than the "fancy" schools
A5: just bc a classroom has 1:1 devices do not receive the same skills due to the Ts ability - or even depending on the Ts mindset about tech in the classroom #CAedChat
A5. Not every student learns using tech. What about hands on learning? As we all learn about our kids needs we need to use the tools that best fits them. #iPadsdonotequalequity#caedchat#proftabaldo
A5: In many cases, there’s good intent behind doing this, but without a vision/game plan for these devices coupled with ongoing training, the equity gaps can inadvertently be exacerbated. https://t.co/pUOzN6RYjk#caedchat
A5: it will only be equitable when all Ts have the opportunities to learn how to effectively integrate their use of the device and then provide the opportunities #caedchat
A5: in schools labeled as failing, with students labeled as failing or at risk, there is way too much focus on test scores, and way too much top-down management and focus on data #caedchat
(cont…)
A5: Even though Ss may have a device, that does not mean that they all know how/or are able to use it. Wi-Fi access is still a big problem. Many Ss are unable to #connect when away from school. #caedchat#proftabaldo
A4: I want ALL Ss to have opportunities to explore arts, sports, etc even if don’t have $$ to pay for extracurricular activities. SO important! #CAedchat
A5: In many cases, there’s good intent behind doing this, but without a vision/game plan for these devices coupled with ongoing training, the equity gaps can inadvertently be exacerbated. https://t.co/pUOzN6RYjk#caedchat
A4: Schools that find a way to partner with community organizations or Parks & Rec. to maintain after school enrichment classes: computers, music, cooking—make a real difference in student lives. Administrators need to keep an open mind & build partnerships. #caedchat
A5: so 1:1 implementation with high pressure to improve is often so we can tell teachers what software to use, monitor student “progress” on out-sourced corporate programs. Less trust for students and teachers… #caedchat …cont
A5: It is not and will never be the device that creates a successful learning environment. It is a great teacher and their use of the device that will be the difference maker. If we do not have ongoing PD, the devices will not make a difference. #caedchat
but there also needs to be accountability - we have a plan and Ts say they are on board...but...it's not reflecting in what Ss are producing or what they should be able to do #CAedChat
A5 #caedchat 1:1 doesn't change what some kids don't have at home: WIFI -- many of my students only had access to it at school!!! Their families share a phone, and kids don't have computers
A5: Families, teachers, and students all come to the table with varying degrees of digital literacy. It's important that we work in unison to create less chaos and more cohesiveness when it comes to tech in school #caedchat#proftabaldo
A5 cont.: meanwhile, in affluent schools with high test scores and less “accountability” pressure, 1:1 means opportunities for students to create, collaborate, research what they want, etc.
#caedchat
A5: some students don’t have access to technology outside of the classroom. Also some students might not learn with tech and need to physically read from a book or paper #caedchat
also there needs to be time given for creating and planning - with a 30 min planning time each week that's not enough (every other week add ~2 hrs) #CAedChat
Excellent and vital point! Importance of clear vision, pedagogy and PD that sustains teacher mastery of the 1:1 tech: how to use it, what resources are available #caedchat
A5, and lastly, before Sibling 1, strangles sibling 2: just because kids have tech -- doesn't mean anyone actually ever taught them HOW TO USE it #caedchat#mykidsarecrazyrightatbedtime
Q6: What happens when students at home do not have access to wifi? What are some innovative solutions to bring wifi equity to these homes? #caedchat@caedchat
Meaning 3 devices per student I assume. For example, they might carry a phone and a laptop/chromebook, have access to iPads, desktop computers on site, in library, etc.
#caedchat
A6. Students don't have access to the world without internet at home! It's unfortunate. While the internet has it's negatives for kids, there are so many +s. I heard of districts putting wifi on buses and parking them in neighborhoods that needed internet! #caedchat#proftabaldo
A6: I Loved hearing about the district who put wifi hotspots on their school buses for the rides to and from school and events. Then at night they park the buses in neighborhoods they know will need internet. #caedchat
A6: Where it is an economic issue, partner with local Internet providers to help homes without broadband get low cost access. I know @comcast does this. #caedchat
but even with access to wi-fi that doesn't mean Ss have devices - working on a phone is not the same as a chrome book...especially at the elementary level #CAedChat
A6: here’s a creative solution - turn school buses into mobile wifi hotspots and park them all over the community overnight.
And it’s a California story too! @DrAdamsTV#caedchathttps://t.co/zcGQF58FPI
A6: This is a question I oftentimes ask myself. My one way to get over this hurtle is the idea that most people, regardless of level of economic status, have a smartphone. This could be the gateway to overcoming technological obstacles at home. #CaEdChat
A6: I’ve heard buses and McDonald’s frequently cited as solutions, but there’s still inequity in both approaches. Many districts can’t afford to equip their entire bus fleet with Wi-Fi, and access/transportation to restaurants isn’t a given. https://t.co/oKoyWPUmdF#caedchat
As I mentioned in an earlier reply, our school was supposed to give out hot spot devices, but we ran out. In today's age internet access should be treated as a valuable resource that we need to get to EVERYONE #caedchat#proftabaldo
Q7: What are some other areas of equity in education need to be addressed? How might we be better advocates of providing equity in education?
#caedchat@caedchat
