Course Objectives

• Explore the challenges faced by schools and classrooms that are created by changing school demographics.
• Examine a demographic profile of a specific school, identifying current trends.
• Describe strategies that foster respect and appreciation of diversity in the classroom.
• Design activities that promote cultural respect and are appropriate for a specific teaching context.
• Explore the connection between student needs and academic achievement.
• Create a mechanism for assessing students’ diverse needs.
• Examine the value of building a collaborative classroom community in managing a diverse classroom.
• Select a grouping strategy for a specific teaching context.
• Create collaborative activities appropriate for a specific classroom situation.
• Explore the effects parent involvement in a diverse school can have on students’ academic achievement and on the school culture.
• Devise strategies for improving parent participation in a diverse school.
• Argue the importance of school staff modeling respect and collaboration.
• Plan steps necessary for creating a culture of collaboration and respect on the school level.

Syllabus

(ASCD PD Online course, 2011) Self-paced asynchronous online course. Upon completion, learners will be awarded an ASCD Certificate worth up to 20 Clock Hours.