EDTE 251: Education for a Democratic, Pluralistic Society
Defining Terms
Pluralism
The peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions and lifestyles and the belief that negotiating a peaceful existence between alternative perspectives will lead to a richer existence for all.
Democracy
Woodruff's 7 features:
- Freedom from tyranny
- The rule of law, applied equally to all citizens
- Harmony - agreement to adhere collectively the rule of law while accepting diversity
- Equality among people for the purposes of of governance
- Citizen wisdom built on the human capacity to "perceive, reason and judge"
- Active debate for reasoning through uncertainties
- General education designed for such participation
Multiple Perspectives
- Melting Pot vs Salad Bowl
- Governance vs Economics
Equity
- Equity has to do with a distribution of resources
- 2 considerations
- What is being distributed
- What is the most fair method of distribution
- Regarding Education
- Finances and other resources into schools
- Student access to schools, programs, resources
- Processes in schools (behavior management, who wins, who loses)
- Outcomes (achievement, graduation rates)
- Accountability focuses most of its attention to outcomes, neglects things such as cultural differences
- Equity vs Equality
- Equality is that which can be counted or measured
- Equity is what is desired or just
- Equality means all students get the same number of things, resources, etc.
- Equity means that steps are taken to undo past injustices
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