GCPS Diversity, Equity & Cultural Responsiveness 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which example best illustrates a microaggression in the classroom?
- A teacher calls on all students equally during discussion
- A teacher tells a multilingual student 'You speak English so well!' with surprise (Correct answer)
- A teacher provides accommodations for a student with a disability
- A teacher uses multiple languages in classroom signage
Correct answer: A teacher tells a multilingual student 'You speak English so well!' with surprise
Expressing surprise at a multilingual student's English proficiency implies a low expectation based on the student's background and is a common microaggression.
Question 2: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) supports diverse learners by:
- Creating a single, standardized lesson plan for all students
- Building multiple means of engagement, representation, and action/expression into lessons from the start (Correct answer)
- Designing curriculum exclusively for students with disabilities
- Removing all assessments to reduce student stress
Correct answer: Building multiple means of engagement, representation, and action/expression into lessons from the start
UDL proactively builds flexibility into curriculum through multiple means of engagement, representation, and action/expression so that all learners can access and demonstrate knowledge.
Question 3: An asset-based pedagogical approach to teaching diverse students means:
- Focusing on the gaps and deficits students must overcome
- Recognizing and building on the strengths, knowledge, and experiences students bring (Correct answer)
- Comparing students' abilities to a single standard benchmark
- Assigning remediation work to students who underperform
Correct answer: Recognizing and building on the strengths, knowledge, and experiences students bring
Asset-based pedagogy starts from the premise that all students bring valuable knowledge and strengths to the classroom, shifting the focus from what students lack to what they already know.
Question 4: According to Stephen Krashen's theory of language acquisition, which condition is most important for second language acquisition?
- Extensive grammar drills and error correction
- Comprehensible input that is slightly beyond the learner's current level (i+1) (Correct answer)
- Immersion without any home language support
- Rote memorization of vocabulary lists
Correct answer: Comprehensible input that is slightly beyond the learner's current level (i+1)
Krashen's Input Hypothesis states that learners acquire language when they receive input that is comprehensible and slightly above their current proficiency level, allowing them to naturally progress.
Question 5: Stereotype threat in the classroom occurs when:
- Teachers explicitly tell students they will underperform
- Students are aware of a negative stereotype about their group and fear confirming it, which can impair performance (Correct answer)
- Students from diverse backgrounds outperform their peers consistently
- Teachers assign culturally biased reading materials
Correct answer: Students are aware of a negative stereotype about their group and fear confirming it, which can impair performance
Stereotype threat, identified by Steele and Aronson, occurs when students are aware of a negative stereotype about their identity group and experience anxiety that this awareness itself can reduce their performance.
Question 6: GCPS's commitment to cultural responsiveness is best demonstrated in the classroom by:
- Celebrating one multicultural holiday per semester
- Embedding diverse perspectives, voices, and histories consistently across all curriculum areas (Correct answer)
- Translating homework assignments into other languages only upon parent request
- Grouping students by cultural background for separate instruction
Correct answer: Embedding diverse perspectives, voices, and histories consistently across all curriculum areas
True cultural responsiveness means integrating diverse perspectives throughout all content areas year-round, not limiting it to occasional events or isolated lessons.
Question 7: Which approach best helps reduce disproportionate discipline referrals for students of color?
- Applying the same punishment consistently regardless of context
- Implementing restorative practices and examining personal biases in discipline decisions (Correct answer)
- Increasing surveillance of students with prior referrals
- Deferring all discipline decisions to school administrators
Correct answer: Implementing restorative practices and examining personal biases in discipline decisions
Restorative practices focus on repairing relationships and addressing root causes of behavior, while examining personal bias helps teachers identify when their perceptions may be influenced by stereotypes.
GCPS Diversity, Equity & Cultural Responsiveness 2
Which example best illustrates a microaggression in the classroom?