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Chapter 4 |
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In this chapter Nieto and Bode explore issues of student achievement in relation to racism and discrimination in the United States. Racism, prejudice and discrimination are defined and observed in schools through teaching, school policies and institutional power. Throughout the chapter there are several studies that address issues of racism, sexism, classism and other forms of discrimination that have manifested in U.S. schools. Discrimination takes several forms and many children suffer the consequences of low expectations, denial or silence in the face of discriminatory school practices. Nieto and Bode suggest that while we have little control over the environment outside the school walls, we do have a responsibility to advocate for the children in our classrooms by addressing our own biases, challenging unfair school policies, resisting institutionally oppressive structures in schools that provide barriers to equitable access to learning, and working to change policies and practices outside the school that also place obstacles in the way of student learning.
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