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Creating a More Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive (DEI) Workplace

In today’s global economy, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are more than just HR buzzwords. They are essential components of a successful and respectful workplace that recognizes the diverse nature of the modern workforce. Implementing DEI in the workplace is not a one-off initiative; it is an ongoing process that must be woven into the very fabric of an organization. Here’s how to build a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for your employees. 1. Lead with Commitment: A DEI-focused workplace starts at the top. Leaders must demonstrate an unwavering commitment to DEI, not only in words but in actions. …

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Why Do So Many Black Women Die in Childbirth?

In recent years, alarming statistics have emerged regarding the significant disparities in maternal mortality rates among black women in the United States. Numerous studies have found that black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than their white counterparts. While such a disturbing statistic raises many questions, we must ask ourselves, why do so many black women die in childbirth? 1. Institutional Racism and Bias in Healthcare Racism and bias in healthcare has been widely acknowledged as a major contributor to the high maternal mortality rate among black women. Historically, black people have faced …

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Supporting Families Who Are Experiencing Homelessness

In 1991, a Philadelphia study found that homeless children had higher rates of accidents, injuries, and language delay. Specifically, compared with normative samples, preschool children scored lower on their receptive vocabulary and visual motor skills. Families who experience homelessness faced many factors, both external and internal, that affect their daily lives. Therefore, systems of support are essential to assist in a variety of ways. Some specialists that can assist families include social workers, medical doctors, mental health counselors, speech-language pathologists, and teachers. Researchers found that 61% of homeless children younger than five years old had at least one developmental delay, …

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LGBTQ+ Kids and Students of Color Feel Less Safe in American PreK-12 Schools and Colleges

In recent years, there has been growing awareness about issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community and students of color in the educational system. Despite significant progress made, many members of these groups still face numerous barriers to feeling safe, supported, and included in schools and colleges. This article discusses the challenges experienced by LGBTQ+ kids and students of color within American PreK-12 schools and colleges, as well as the potential solutions to create inclusive educational environments for all. Safety Challenges for LGBTQ+ Kids in PreK-12 Schools 1. Bullying and Harassment: One pervasive issue faced by many LGBTQ+ students is bullying …

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Discussing the Push to Diversify K-12 Textbooks

In recent years, there has been a growing push to diversify K-12 textbooks. The understanding that representation and inclusivity matter has gained considerable traction in the education field. This article explores the reasons behind this movement and its potential benefits for students and society. The Need for Diversity in K-12 Textbooks Throughout history, K-12 textbooks have predominantly featured the stories, perspectives, and experiences of a select group of people, mainly those from white, Eurocentric backgrounds. This lack of diversity has left many students feeling unrepresented and disconnected from their learning materials. 1. Representation One significant reason behind the push to …

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What Will Obama’s Legacy be when it Comes to Diversity on College Campuses?

With less than two years left in office, President Barack Obama still has a lofty agenda when it comes to education in America. From supporting wider access to universal Pre-K all the way up to a proposal for two free years of community college for everyone, President Obama has taken an immersive approach to education that challenges the status quo. When it is all said and done, what will President Obama’s college diversity legacy look like? More people of color in college leadership positions Though he has not introduced any official legislation that demands more people of color in leadership …

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Should sex ed include fertility information?

Exactly what sort of safe sex should be taught to our young students is always a topic of debate. As we recently saw in Texas, abstinence-only programs don’t seem to work and can even lead to higher rates of sexually transmitted diseases. Telling kids too much about how to have sex bothers many parents, educators and lawmakers, though. It seems that the jury is still out on the best way to empower students with sex-ed knowledge. One topic that is never debated, or even discussed, as it relates to sex education is fertility itself and that needs to change, according …

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How should we teach about social justice in a post-(Michael) Brown world?

**The Edvocate is pleased to publish guest posts as way to fuel important conversations surrounding P-20 education in America. The opinions contained within guest posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of The Edvocate or Dr. Matthew Lynch.** A guest post by Beth Ellor Picture a 5th Grade classroom in Chinatown on New York’s Lower East Side. Twenty-seven mostly Asian children – when I use the classic ‘clap, clap, clap-clap-clap’ signal, they fall silent immediately, eyes on me. Thorough plans from their teacher, including Social Studies – based on a Scholastic News magazine article about …

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Justice in action: How we can address the school-to-prison pipeline

**The Edvocate is pleased to publish guest posts as way to fuel important conversations surrounding P-20 education in America. The opinions contained within guest posts are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of The Edvocate or Dr. Matthew Lynch.** A guest post by Julian Vasquez Heilig Why are we sending droves of young Black and Brown students into the school-to-prison pipeline via our harsh discipline policies when there are better alternatives? In this newly published chapter in the Handbook of Urban Educational Leadership, we examine a unique peer run youth court at an urban middle school to …

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Mexican-American course in Texas matter of debate

Texas State Board of Education members are debating whether or not a Mexican-American elective social studies course has a place on the state’s official curriculum list. Over 50 organizations have urged the Board to include such a course in the elective list for high school students, that also includes classes like floral design and Web gaming. Board Republicans are hesitant to approve such a move, saying that individual school districts already have the authority to teach such classes if they want. Some have even gone so far as to say that the move will inject “leftist ideals” into classrooms. Opponents …

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