Study Reveals Teachers Changing Lesson Plans on Race and Gender Amid Pressure from Parents and Laws
Teachers Changing Lessons on Race and Gender Amid Parental Pressure and Laws
Description: A new report by RAND Corporation shows that a quarter of teachers surveyed have altered their teaching materials or practices to limit discussions on race and gender. The report also suggests that teachers are facing pressure from parents and highlights the consequences on teachers and students. Read the report to understand the challenges teachers are facing and how they navigate limitations on instruction.
Parental Pressure Leads Teachers to Limit Discussions on Race and Gender
January 25, 2023
In light of recent events and increasing scrutiny on discussions of race and gender in schools, a new report by the RAND Corporation has shed light on the challenges that teachers are facing in the classroom. The report, titled "Teachers' Awareness of and Responses to Limitations on Addressing Race- or Gender-Related Topics in the Classroom" draws on data from the spring 2022 American Instructional Resources Survey to examine the extent to which teachers are aware of and influenced by limitations on their instruction.
The study found that one-quarter of teachers surveyed reported revising their instructional materials or teaching practices to limit or exclude discussions of race and gender. The report also found that some teachers were more likely to alter their lesson plans, including teachers of color, high school teachers, and educators in suburban school districts. Interestingly, the report suggests that teachers are feeling direct pressure from parents to shift their teaching habits, with many teachers pointing to parents and families as the main source of limitations they experienced.
The report also highlights the consequences of these limitations on teachers' working conditions and student learning, with teachers reporting that limitations have made it more difficult to engage students in learning, support critical thinking skills and develop students' ability to take perspectives and build empathy.
This report is a valuable insight into the challenges that teachers are facing in the current climate and the ways in which they are navigating the limitations placed on their instruction. It highlights the importance of finding a solution that allows teachers to teach important topics without fear or censorship while also taking into account the concerns of parents and community members. The report can be accessed here.
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As the debate surrounding discussions of race and gender in schools continues, it is important to consider the perspectives of all stakeholders. This report by the RAND Corporation sheds light on the challenges that teachers are facing in navigating limitations on instruction. We want to hear from you, the reader. Share your thoughts on the report and the issues it raises. What are your arguments for and against limitations on instruction in schools? How do you think we can find a solution that allows teachers to teach important topics without fear or censorship while also taking into account the concerns of parents and community members? Weigh in on the conversation by leaving a comment below or joining the discussion on social media using the hashtag #educationlawyersnews