Promoting Equity and Inclusion For Professional Development of K-12 Teachers
Professional development refers to the professional growth of teachers. The teachers who gain a high post are undoubtedly well-educated people. But his/her professional growth plays a vital role in the continuous success of students. 12th-grade students are at the top of their maturation. Also, Their educational success demands a true mentor with all professional skills. That is why programs for the Professional Development of K-12 teachers are conducted. However, Such programs focus on the professional growth of teachers by introducing different methods and strategies. The most stressful strategy which they focus on include:
Equity.
Inclusion.
How do these two terms play their role in professional growth? What are the challenges and consequences? All are discussed below:
How to Promote Equity and Inclusion For Professional Development For K-12 Teachers:
The term equity serves justices. The school communities organize such policies which are fair enough to practice. It should comprise rules and regulations. Also, these policies have just one base: ” Justice”. Equity reflects that every individual has equal opportunities to achieve their goals.
Inclusion reflects the meaning of a single individual experience. Also, The individual gets inclusion based on performance in such opportunities.
After getting the actual meaning of Equity and Inclusion, we move toward its strategic policies:
1. Recognize Biases:
The professional growth programs help educators recognize what biases can affect a classroom environment. Also, They stress such biases and ask educators to challenge them.
2.Pursue Cultural Competence:
Such programs are the source of cultivating Cultural competencies in teachers. Also, Such competencies will develop an excellent classroom learning environment. Moreover, it creates an equitable relationship in class.
3.Promote an Inclusive Environment:
Such an environment allows everyone to share their opinions and thoughts. There is no hesitation. Nothing! Educators must know how to create an inclusive environment for the class. Also, Professional development programs teach educators all about an inclusive environment.
4.Recognize Barrier:
The educators learn about the barriers that can hinder equity and inclusive environments. Whatever you want to practise in a class, you must know its consequences. So, professional development programs help you to recognize such barriers.
5.Regular Assessment:
Regularity is the key to success. Also, If a school community has proper regulations, that can easily practise equity. So, it is included in the professional growth steps of teachers to take regular assessments.
Framework to Infuse Equity and Inclusiveness.
The framework of equity and inclusion consists of six basic steps. All these steps are easy to follow. Also, Professional development aims to infuse all points in an educator to maintain his professional growth. These six points are given below:
Science of Learning.
Impacts of Curriculum.
Assessment.
Classroom culture.
Evidence.
Feedback.
Benefits of Equity and Inclusion for Institutional Growth:
The professional development of teachers requires strategies of equity and inclusion. But what about its benefits? How their practice will benefit an educational institution.
Increases Diversity:
When an institute ends up with racial differences, it helps to attract diversity. Also, It attracts several innovative students. Of course! People belonging to different backgrounds will appreciate the policies of the institute. Also, Which automatically ranks your institute.
Promote Innovation:
An inclusive environment generates a positive vibe everywhere. When everybody feels valued, participate in innovation. So, it is how professional growth helps an institution to promote innovation.
Enhance Comprehension:
The institutions that practice equity will feel at ease in decision-making. A fair and just policy is easy to comprehend. As a result, it would be easy to decide matters.
Better Reputation:
When an institute ignores the differences among students and their backgrounds, everyone appreciates their policies. As a result, it will increase the reputation of the institute. So, equity and inclusion practices must be included in K-12 teachers if an institute wants to grow.
Problem-Solving Environment:
The best institute is the one which has problem-solving policies. An institute can not grow until the teachers cannot create a problem-solving environment. So, If you want to focus on assessment parameters, educators must learn about the problem-solving environment. Also, it can be done through equity and inclusion easily.
Shape up Overall Culture:
If you want to shape the true culture of the institute, then you must practise equity. Also, It helps you to create cultural vibes that build an understanding base.
Conclusion:
In this article, we have discussed the Professional Development of K-12 teachers. Also, In which we talk about equity and inclusion parameters. Having these two traits can help in the professional growth of teachers. Then we discussed its strategic ways. And in the last, We have discussed the benefits of professional growth.