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Delve into the concept of transformative leadership in education, challenging assumptions and advocating for equity. Explore the need to address systemic power imbalances, promote democracy and justice, and reject deficit thinking. Learn valuable lessons from the tale of "The Princess and the Pea" and the myth of Procrustes. Discover how to adapt institutions to meet diverse needs, conduct appropriate assessments, and create opportunities for all learners. Uncover the transformative potential of leadership in creating a more inclusive and just educational landscape.
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(Re) Situating Commonwealth: Educational Leadership at a Time of Demographic Change June 7, 2014
Myth, Fairytale and Educational Equity Carolyn M. Shields Wayne State University, Detroit MI
Theoretical Perspectives Oakes & Rogers (2006) –reject technical reforms and call for equity reform Social justice – almost meaningless Transformative Leadership Origins: Burns 1978 • Foster 1986 • Quantz, Rogers, Dantley, 1991 • Blackmore, 2011 • 2000s many scholars
Transformative Leadership • Mandate--deep and equitable change • Deconstruct and reconstruct knowledge frameworks • Focus--democracy, equity, and justice • Address the inequitable distribution of power • Private and public good • Interdependence, inter-connectedness, and global awareness. • Balance critique with promise • Exhibit moral courage. (Shields, 2011, 2012)
One Size Fits All… • Ignoring a student’s lived reality
Adapt the Institution …not the student
Deficit Thinking • From Elementary School to University • Pervasive Want a free ride Unmotivated Don’t care Lazy
Start From Student • Differentiate between minority and minoritized • Acknowledge lived experience • Recognize strengths • Develop positive relationships • Hold to high standards
Lessons from Procrustes • One size does not fit all. • We must adapt the institution and not the student • We must reject deficit thinking.
FairyTale: Princess and the Pea • Searched for a real princess • Great storm • Bedraggled young woman • Put her to the test • Marriage
Lessons • The prince was looking for perfection. • He made assumptions based on appearance. • Gave a totally inappropriate test. • Acted on the results of a misaligned test.
Looking for Perfection • Performance, appearance, speech, behavior
Make the rules explicit • Lisa Delpit … Make rules explicit • Be explicit about how to ask for help … • Do not expect perfection.
Understand & address … • Misplaced assumptions • Gabriel • Internalized others’ “deficit thinking” • Found a persistent advocate • His experience should not be the norm.
Opportunity vs Ability Ability to Learn Opportunity to Learn cshields@wayne.edu
Challenge Assumptions • Reject assumptions based on appearances • Reject prejudice and discrimination • Overcome institutional racism • Engage in dialogue; never ignore opportunities
Giving Inappropriate Tests • Admissions and placement tests • From primary grades to Higher Education
Appropriate Assessments • Open/closed book • Timed • Formal English • Acknowledge stereotype threat
Miller analogies CUBISM : PICASSO :: (____) : DALI Romanticism, Classicism, Realism , Surrealism (____) is to PUCCINI as SCULPTURE is to OPERA Cellini , Rembrandt, Wagner, Petrarch MAUNA LOA : ETNA :: HAWAII : (____) Sicily , Alps, Crete, Bosporus
Acting on Misinformation • They lived happily ever after • Or did they?
The Future • Graduation rates • Retention rates • Employment /unemployment • Incarceration • Health and Well Being
The Outcome Now : Working on Master’s degree Position in IT Highly successful
Remember Procrustes • One size does not fit all– differentiate everything • Adapt the institution not the student • Reject deficit thinking
Transformative Leadership • Mandate--deep and equitable change • Deconstruct and reconstruct knowledge frameworks • Focus--democracy, equity, and justice • Address the inequitable distribution of power
And The Princess and the Pea … • Hold high expectations but do not expect perfection • Build relationships - do not make assumptions based on appearance • “Test” appropriately • Ensure equity of opportunity and outcomes – do not misalign data
Transformative Leadership • Private and public good • Interdependence, inter-connectedness, and global awareness • Balance critique with promise • Exhibit moral courage. (Shields, 2011, 2012)
And Finally: Think of Gabriel • Become an advocate • Build relationships • Make learning relevant • Encourage • Support • Hold to high expectations
Differentiate … • Assignments Readings • Timelines • Tests • But not expectations or standards.