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Meagan Ariel Elvins

Professor Pritchard
Education 290
3 October 2012
Diversity in Education
Diversity in education is defined as having a varied group of students. It is crucial that
students are taught that all people are unique. Every person comes from a different cultural or
ethnic background. If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. This is the first line
of the poem, Children Learn What They Live, by Dorothy Law Nolte (1998). It stresses the
necessity of teaching children to accept themselves as well as others. The United States of
America is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world. It is because of this mixture
that early childhood education should focus on conveying the fact that each person is special and
unique. Teaching children to appreciate each other's differences is the key to ending prejudiced
viewpoints and intolerance.
One form of diversity is known as ethnic diversity. This is the most common form of
diversity seen in the elementary school classroom. Ethnic diversity simply means that each
person has his or her own heritage. Some students may descend from a long line of Caucasian
family members. Some students may be African American. Hispanic and Asian are also ethnic
groups. The ethnic background of each student varies. It is important to teach students that all
people are considered to be equal in the classroom. Students must learn that the color of ones
skin will not determine the success the student will achieve. Students must also be guided by
their instructor to refrain from using racial or ethnic slurs or omitting students based on their
race.
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There are some techniques that can be used in the classroom to eliminate discrimination
based on ethnic background. The first technique is using visual aids to teach children that
students from all races can peacefully work together. By seeing posters on the walls in the
classroom that consist of various races, students will observe the image of diversity
(Oesterreich). This will contribute to a students idea that they can work together and be friends
with people of all ethnic backgrounds. A second technique regards students working in group.
When choosing group members, the teacher should choose students from varied backgrounds to
be a part of each group. By working together to complete an activity, students will gain a better
understanding of equality among all races.
Another form of diversity involves religious beliefs. It is crucial for an educator to know
and understand that each student has his or her own set of religious beliefs. Each student is
taught various means of worship. Students should be instructed to never omit their classmates
from particular groups based on their religion. Judgment should never be passed within a
classroom. A students religion can neither be right nor wrong. The topic of their particular
beliefs should never be put up for discussion.
The topic of religion in the education system is a delicate one. Teachers should have an
open dialogue with students about the beliefs of others. Students should be taught the creed,
leaders, and documents associated with each religion. However, there should be no room left for
opinions in this discussion. It is also important that teachers provide students with this
information merely on an educational level. Students should be taught that every religion should
be respected.
Students may also experience diversity in learning processes. Each student has his or her
own particular way of completing an activity or accomplishing a goal. Some students are forced
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to struggle with living with a disability. These disabilities may range from emotional and
behavior disorders, motor disabilities, speech and language disabilities, learning disabilities,
orthopedic impairments, and even mental retardation. It is crucial that students know and
understand disabilities are not to be ridiculed. They are human beings and should be treated
accordingly.
Students with disabilities, their parents, school counselors, and the principal all
work together to formulate an IEP for each student. An IEP is an individualized education
program. This means that each student is evaluated on an individual basis (Bachrach, 2011). An
IEP is a plan of action to help students with disabilities achieve their highest learning capability.
It is a step-by-step plan on what the parents, teachers, counselors, and staff need to do in order to
allow the student to be successful. One important fact that a teacher must recognize, especially
when educating students with disabilities, is that fair is not giving every student the same things.
Fair is providing each student with the attention and tools they need to be successful.
As a third grade student, I was given the opportunity to volunteer in the special needs
classroom in my elementary school. Most of the students in the class were physically disabled,
which bound them to wheelchairs. They were unable to verbally communicate. Instead, the
school provided each student with special computer boards that gave them the power to express
their thoughts and needs. These computer boards consisted of several pictures that illustrated
actions and emotions. The computer board would say the word that corresponded with the
picture the student chose. The students were able to communicate their needs by identifying the
appropriate picture. Having the opportunity to work with children with physical disabilities
taught me about how much all elementary students have in common. Whether a disability is
present or not, all students have the same needs and feel the same emotions.
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Racial differences have been present throughout my education. The high school I
attended had a high population of African Americans. My high school was ranked number two in
the county for academic achievement. We consistently met the standards required to maintain
adequate yearly progress. The students excelled on graduation test scores and had the highest
graduation rate in the county. Race was irrelevant to my graduating class. We knew that we had
to have faith in each other in order to be successful. We supported one another through stressful
times such as midterm, final examinations, and standardized tests. Race was never a factor in
determining supportive friendships. My high school experience taught me how important it is to
break down the walls of racism in the classroom. The students in a classroom have the potential
to be each others greatest support system. It is crucial that educators teach their students that all
people deserve respect and compassion, regardless of the tone of their skin.
Issues in diversity in education have existed for many years. One case that was cited in
history was the case of Brown vs. Board of Education. In the 1950s, racial segregation was
common in the public school system. Each school district was to have a school for Caucasian
children and one for African American children. An African American student, Linda Brown,
was forced to walk a mile through the streets of Topeka, Kansas in order to reach her black
school. Lindas father, Oliver Brown, attempted to enroll her in the white school that was a mere
seven blocks away from her home. After the principal refused to accept an African American
student into his elementary school, Lindas father asked for support from Topekas branch of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, also known has the NAACP.
African American families throughout Kansas joined together in support of the Brown Family.
The NAACP filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, asking that
segregation in public schools be forbidden (Cozzens, 1995). The case slowly made its way to the
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Supreme Court. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court issued their unanimous decision regarding
the case of racial segregation in public schools. They ruled that public schools across America
were to be desegregated. The Courts ruling did not abolish segregation in public areas, such as
restaurants and restrooms. It did, however, declare that segregated schools were unconstitutional.
Race is the number one factor that diversifies a classroom in todays society. The ruling
in favor of Brown in the case of Brown v. Board of Education was a small step in the African
American struggle for equality. Although it would take years for public schools to completely
desegregate, it gave the younger generations hope that one day everyone would be equal. This
case became a major factor in diversifying the education system. Without the ruling from the
Supreme Court, it is possible that public schools could still be separated based upon race.
The state of California has a high population of Muslim students enrolled in the public
school system. One school in particular is Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. In 1996, the high
school permitted a group of Muslim students to create a club called the Muslim Student Union
(Rourke, 2001). The club helped students of the Muslim faith with struggles they faced in their
religion and everyday life. The club would meet weekly for prayer sessions. During Ramadan, a
period of fasting to show their religious commitment to the Islamic faith, the students would
meet to support each other. The school also had two religious organizations that practice the
Christian faith. On September 11, 2001 the United States experienced a series of attacks led by a
Muslim terrorist group. These attacks created a shock wave throughout the nation. Americans
became skeptical of all the people who practiced the Islamic faith. The Muslim Student Union
was so shaken by the terrorist attacks they almost missed the registration deadline for
extracurricular clubs. According to the California Board of Education guidelines, religion is a
major part of historical education. Students may study religion in the context of history and
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culture, but religious instruction is prohibited. The members of the Muslim Student Union made
the decision to continue involvement in the club. Harsh ridicule from peers made this decision a
difficult one, but the Muslim students fought to remain faithful to their religion.
Religion is another factor that diversifies the classroom. The Muslim students in
California chose to continue worshipping regardless of ruthless peers. Although the attacks of
September 11
th
were terribly unfortunate, the students of Palos Verdes Peninsula High School
had no involvement in the events of that day. All the club members are U.S. citizen born from
parents who immigrated to the United States in order to give their children more opportunities to
be successful. Their commitment to their faith was evident in the classroom. Without the strength
of the Muslim students in Palos Verdes Peninsula High School throughout the struggles of
September 11
th
, the classrooms could have become religiously bland. The Muslim students were
given the option to be proud of their religious beliefs or scour away due to the decisions of a
terrorist organization. The students chose to stand beside their beliefs and honor their religion.
Just as in our society in general, diversity has challenged academic institutes to react to
the pressures of handling the differences of the student population and in developing strategies to
resolve differences and to enhance our common interests and responsibilities. We must teach our
students that everyone is of equal value and that when we combine our experiences and talents
we improve our society. In unity there is strength and the combined learning, when directed by a
experienced educator, will generate improved understanding among the student population.
Informed students will be more tolerant and cognitive of the strengths that their several
differences bring to all of them. Our country has a proud heritage of being a melting pot and
the path to success is to celebrate our combined diverse actions.

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Work Cited
Appreciating and valuing diversity. (2009, April). Retrieved from http://www.ndt-
ed.org/TeachingResources/ClassroomTips/Diversity.htm
Bachrach, S. (2011, May). Individualized education programs (iep). Retrieved from
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/learning/iep.html
Cozzens, L. (1995). Brown v. board of education. Retrieved from
http://www.watson.org/~lisa/blackhistory/early-civilrights/brown.html
Gurin, P. (2003). The benefits of diversity in education for democratic citizenship. Journal of
Social Issues, Retrieved from http://www.personal.umich.edu/~pgurin/benefits.html
Nolte, D. L. (1998). Children learn what they live. Workman Publishing.
Northshore School District. (2011, May). Special education programs and services. Retrieved
from http://www.nsd.org/education/components.edu
Oesterreich, L. (n.d.). Insensitivity to physical, racial, or ethnic differences. Retrieved from
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/preciouschildren/diversity/read_insensitivity.html
Rourke, M. (2001). Muslim students in california. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved from
http://usinfo.org/enus/education/overview/muslimlife/castudent.htm