The Self-Made Myth: Identify and Address Systemic Inequities
The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.
– Aristotle
INTRO
With the best of intentions, we still often fall short of actually addressing systemic inequities because of lingering beliefs about “the American dream,” “pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps,” and that everyone is capable of success if they just try hard enough. We may think we’re helping “build character” or instilling self-discipline, but really, these ideas only serve those who are already better equipped to be successful because of who they are and not what they do.
This video and reflection activity aim to help you start thinking about how your school might be furthering systemic inequities and brainstorm ways to start addressing it.
OBJECTIVES
- Identify ways your school furthers systemic inequities
- Brainstorm ways you can start addressing systemic inequities at your school
View the brief 3-minute video in the resource box and then engage in this reflection activity.
General Reflection Questions:
- How have our students been historically over- and under- served by society?
- How might differences in societal inequities influence student success at school?
- Do our policies reinforce or disrupt historical/societal inequity? (The goal is disruption.)
- What can we do to provide a more equitable path to success for our students who face inequity outside of school?
Reflect on your school’s policies regarding:
- timed assignments, due dates, and “extensions”
- homework (the need for students to complete work outside of school)
- assessment and reassessment (including options for students to express their learning in different ways, timing, etc.)
- grading
- skills focus (what skills are emphasized in classes)
- SEL
- student behavior
- family/community engagement and outreach
Reflect on your school’s use of language and/or reinforcement of these ideas (How you may be perpetuating the self-made myth):
- “self-made”
- “pull yourself up by the bootstraps”
- “tough love”
- “if you just work hard enough”
- “lazy(iness)”
- “fair(ness)”
- “equal(ity)” [vs. equity]
TIPS
- This activity can also be repeated with/for your leadership team, teachers, and staff.
- Little Things are smaller efforts you can do tomorrow, or within the next week or so.
- While these quick and easy practices can produce big impacts, remember, this is not a quick fix: You’re establishing schoolwide changes that should better serve all students for years to come
Responses