ERIC Number: EJ1345251
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Sep
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8326
EISSN: EISSN-1098-237X
Available Date: N/A
Utilizing Theory to Elucidate the Work of Creating Equity for Transformation within the Science Classroom
Science Education, v106 n5 p1071-1083 Sep 2022
In this paper, we outline how science teachers might engage in the work of creating educational equity. While acknowledging the historical inherent inequities associated with issues of access, opportunities to engage in science learning for individuals of marginalized identities (e.g., BIPOC individuals and women), and achievement, we broaden this definition to include social justice as a framework by which we can develop opportunities for the fostering of students' affinity identities with science. To this end, we draw on theorizations of equity within educational research, specifically discussed as excellence, equality, fairness, a zero-sum game, and most recently, social justice. Additionally, we utilize McKinney de Royston and Nasir's (2017) "Racialized Learning Ecologies" framework. This framework provides a useful lens to notice the layers of (in)equity within education. We then extend this ecological model into science education and present three lenses (i.e., layers) through which equity operates within science teaching and learning. We conclude with a discussion of the practical implications of doing the work of equity, that is, recognizing, interpreting, and redressing inequity in science classrooms. Ultimately, we provide an actionable definition of equity that has the potential to facilitate transformative and socially just science teaching and learning.
Descriptors: Equal Education, Educational Change, Science Education, Teaching Methods, Learning Processes, Science Teachers, Access to Education, Educational Opportunities, Disadvantaged, Minority Group Students, Social Justice, Science Achievement, Educational Research, Guidelines, Ethics, Race, Definitions, Transformative Learning
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A