How Racism Can Effect Child Development (Infographic)

How Racism Can Effect Child Development (Infographic)

It’s time to connect these dots. This infographic explains in basic terms how racism, in particular, gets “under the skin” and affects learning, behavior, and lifelong health. There is much more to say, but by starting with a shared understanding, we can work together toward creative strategies to address these long-standing inequities. More information and resources are available in this article:

More information and resources are available in the article Connecting the Brain to the Rest of the Body: Early Childhood Development and Lifelong Health are Deeply Entwined.

Significant Disproportionality in Special Education: Current Trends and Actions for Impact, National Center for Learning Disabilities

Years of research point to inequities in education for students of color, students from low-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities. These inequities are particularly apparent when it comes to rates of discipline and special education enrollment.

Being misidentified as needing special education, placed in a restrictive setting, or disciplined more frequently and harshly can negatively affect student outcomes. To correct and prevent these trends, education professionals and policymakers must first understand the magnitude of significant disproportionality for students of different races and ethnicities.

NCLD created a comprehensive white paper and six accompanying briefs to share data showing how students from specific communities are impacted.

Start with Equity: From the Early Years to the Early Grades

The Children’s Equity Project and the Bipartisan Policy Center, with support from the Heising Simons Foundation, released a new report: Start with Equity: From the Early Years to the Early Grades. The report provides a review of the data and research on three key equity indicators and provides an actionable policy roadmap for Congress, federal agencies, states and districts to take meaningful steps to remedy these inequities in early learning and education systems. Briefs on the three key equity indicators are below:

• In brief – Harsh Discipline and its Disproportionate Application (PDF)
• In brief – Inclusive Learning for Children with Disabilities (PDF)
• In brief – Equitable Access to High-Quality Learning Opportunities for DLLs and ELs (PDF)

You can find the report and the corresponding four-part webinar series the Start With Equity webpage.

Three Trauma-Informed Practices (Video)

Pediatrician, California surgeon general, and author Dr. Nadine Burke Harris on the science behind relationships, school discipline, and mindfulness.

Differentiating Instruction: It’s not as hard as you think (Video)

In this video, teacher and author Larry Ferlazzo explains that differentiation is not about long nights of planning and grading, but about being flexible and making decisions in the moment based on what your students need.

What Is Inclusion (Video)

Inclusion is a beacon and symbol for what is possible in our lives. Inclusion is not an answer to a problem but an initiative that is an opportunity.

Inclusion Makes the World More Vibrant (Universal Design) (Video)

A little boy helps his blind mother experience an art gallery in the most surprising way. To celebrate International Day of People with Disability, Uniting Ability Links and Bus Stop Films created this short film to promote social inclusion. Demonstrates how a support for someone who is blind can benefit everyone (Universal Design for Learning).

Best Practices in Inclusion: Dea’s Story (Video)

“Seventh grade student Dea discusses her life as a vision-impaired student in a general education classroom.” The video demonstrates how special education students can thrive in general education settings. Toward the end of the video Dea tells her class how she became blind. A classmate gives insightful comments on the impact of her story. (Successful inclusion; benefits of inclusion)

Inclusion Matters: Social Inclusion Training Trailer (Video)

“Get a glimpse of our ‘Together, We Are Able Social Inclusion Ability Awareness Program’ in this 2-minute video.” This buddy program teaches kids without disabilities how to interact with kids with disabilities. Kids in the program tell what they learned from being a buddy with a kid with a disability. (Benefits of inclusion, social inclusion)

Spencer Hawk on Kindness for Inclusion Matters (Video)

As part of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, BTWF Talks/ Kindness + Family, Spencer Hawk talks about what KINDNESS means. He explains the value of inclusion.