The consciousness gap in education - an equity imperative | Dorinda Carter Andrews | TEDxLansingED

In this talk, Dorinda Carter Andrews challenges us to consider how gaps in critical consciousness and mindsets for adults and students in schools prevent us from providing equitable schooling experiences for all students. Specifically, Carter Andrews urges educators to consider how increased critical consciousness about the role of race and culture in teaching and learning can be fostered through educator professional development and student curriculum and can ultimately strengthen teacher-student relationships. A shifted focus on closing consciousness gaps can address the equity imperative embedded in the larger discourse about achievement gaps.

On February 11, Dorinda received the MSU 2014 Outreach Scholarship Community Partner Award for her collaboration with school districts to close achievement gaps. Further, on March 1, she received the Alumni of Color Achievement Award at the 2014 Alumni of Color Conference at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Dorinda Carter Andrews is an associate professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University where she teaches courses on racial identity development, urban education, critical multiculturalism, and critical race theory. Dr. Carter Andrews is a Core Faculty member in the African American and African Studies program and a Faculty Leader in the Urban Educators Cohort Program, a program designed to prepare MSU pre-service students for teaching careers in urban contexts.

[CARIB]

I love how slowly and deliberately she lays out her message and spoke truth to power. The audience was made up of the folks she was critiquing, but she did not allow that to make her water down her message. Great job!

[kyraocity]

3:45 THIS IS A BRILLIANT FLIPPING OF THE SCRIPT of judging and assessing what's wrong with education and teaching. Brilliant!! Thanks Dr. Carter! Must reach out and thank you.

[AmadaheNDN]

Yes, there is so much today, to learn, GT, Autism, Special Needs, families, economics and racism - everything is connected.

[wildne]

I struggle with a system the marginalizing students and teachers. I wanted to talk about the gaps in our building and it put a target on my back. There is a system the oppresses and subjugates people that have different opinions than the people in power and I’m tired of it.

[celiaanderson]

"Equity and equality are two strategies we can use in an effort to produce fairness. Equity is giving everyone what they need to be successful. Equality is treating everyone the same. Equality aims to promote fairness, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same help." Amy Sun

[sashakehoe]

Watching this in 2020, I choked back laughter at that opening line... :(

[blitherbox]

Cultural differences exist. Trying to design an education system that implies equality in these differences is a mistake. Its what slowed the education system down in the first place. Consciousness means paying attention. The students aren't paying attention.

[akbar]

"A system cannot fail those it was never designed to protect... " (or educate) WEB DuBois.

[zoetropo]

15:00 This is the sticking-point. Relinquishing advantages runs counter to the competitive spirit. It was hard for people to do 2000 years ago, and it’s hard today. Only the most dedicated and most humble do so freely, and even for them it’s still hard.
Meanwhile, young, enthusiastic teachers are dropping out in record numbers - the very ones who might have made a difference.

[benfaunce]

Good example of when you can't see the forest for the trees. The key in her life story example was her mother; not the system, the teacher, nor racism. As a littler girl she acted out and the teacher took misguided action. It doesn't seem to have a racial component as teachers often don't know how to deal with above average kids. Her mother stepped up and she succeeded because she was a responsible parent who understood and responded with wisdom. Now she's crying racism? What a way to short change her own mother and the system that heard her out.

[sidneysnowballs]

Critical race theory= the latest grift

[BoriPR]

Our schools sucked in the south bronx. So as a parent I made the choice to purchase a home in a good school district. Problem solved.

[statuesque]

Crazy...."I got bored with the homework and I would act out" Her Mom used to defend her (as well as me...we went to elementary together) on the notion that we acted out b/c we were unruly rather than us not being challenged by that school system to be our best. Result: She was put in the gifted program and exposed to the best that's out there rather than relegated to the worst based on false presumptions regarding behavior.

[alexandraboone]

The system can not fail those it was never designed to protect

[Crismans]

Meritrocity is not a myth. Please don't set low expectations.

[margin]

She did not address any reasons why immigrant children of color perform better in the American education system than American children of color do. This is something that needs to be considered when discussing this topic. Furthermore, children of color performed better in school 60 years ago when racism was a bigger problem than it is today.

[MrIllyillsillystill]

The last line is the Great Challenge right?!? “GIVE UP SOME OF MY PRIVILEGES?”. That is where we are stuck as a society in the US. To achieve equity requires the advantages that the privileged have be lost. Or rather the “perception” of loss. As a culture in general, Not many having power is willing to give up power to empower. There is a humility that comes with the work that Dr Carter is talking about. The love she talking about causes you to diminish that self righteous, “I-got-it-all-figures-Out” mindset to really do some real discovery of your students. It feels too much like humiliation and that type of compassion leave one defenseless against the suffering of another. Who wants to really experience that for the sake of some kids that seemingly would never appreciate it? Hah hah! No workshop can teach this stuff. So all in all. Improvements can be made and change and reform can and will happen but overall the human condition is what it is and until we deal with our own hearts things will relatively stay the same.

[ssherman]

Dr. Carter Andrews gives a powerful talk.

[Vokal_StimmZ]

If the truth doesn't anger you, then that's a problem.

[TheZacman]

10:19 This analogy hits the nail on the head, but only if the worn out shoes represent low g-factor and the polished shoes represent high g factor.