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Thursday, August 1, 2019
Practice †Theory Analysis Essay
During internship, I was able to witness some incidents in the educational system which is relatively important with regards to the questions of equity and fairness in schools. These reflect various policy issues that I have learned throughout the course. The most evident issue that I have encountered was regarding various forms of discrimination. Despite efforts to promote equality, some people still have their biases, and that is the common root of discrimination.            In one class that I have observed, I noticed that this certain white instructor has a bias towards his white students. This is not obvious because he is not vocal about his preferences, but it can be noticed when he asks questions to the class. As a keen observer, I noticed that he gives the easier questions to his white students, but when it comes to the hard, tricky questions, the ones which usually require analysis and in-depth knowledge, he would call on his black and Asian students. Well, it could have been okay even though they’re called to answer the hard questions, but the problem is, he would usually have his side comments when they are not able to answer.            It is not a big deal if a student wasn’t able to answer a teacher’s question or a class problem. This usually happens in any class with any race or gender. But real issue would be the comments being given by the professor. For some, it could be just a joke, but for the students, it could cause them to lose their confidence, thus affect their performance in the class. The whole class would laugh at the student, who gave an incorrect answer, thus lowering his self-esteem.            In my observation, this is a form of discrimination, as his biases towards a certain race would lead to degrading other people. His black and Asian students might loose their confidence and would feel inferior compared to their white counterparts. For me, directing the harder questions to these students would mean that they’re being unfairly treated, even though it is their responsibility to study. Also, giving side jokes and comments by the professor should not be tolerated, as it only strengthens the assumption that he is biased in his profession as a teacher.            The main issue that must be addressed in this case is about discrimination. The teacher in this case can be accused of discrimination by the students who he has allegedly discriminated. There are various forms of discrimination, but the concern in here is racial discrimination. Because of the instructor’s bias towards some of his students, he unknowingly discriminates other students. This is the issue that must be immediately resolved for this case. Another issue that must be addressed is whether or not the instructor is allowed to give side jokes about his or her students’ racial or social status. In the point of view of the involved instructor, he could be unaware that he is already discriminating other races because of his actions. It can be viewed as a joke of some sort as a sign of humor in the class. But for the students involved, they could take it as an insult or something that cold degrade their morale and self-esteem, thus greatly affecting their performance in the class. For other students, it could be seen as something humorous but would truly have an impact on how they would perceive their classmate the joke was directed upon.            There are several rules that apply in this case of racial discrimination. According to the Equality Rights, under the Constitution Act of 1982, subsection (1) states that â€Å"Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular without discrimination based on race, national or ethic origin, color, religion, sex, age, or mental or physical disability†(â€Å"Legal Digest for Ontario Educators,†2007-2008, p.4). This clearly states that what the instructor has been doing was a violation of the constitutional act of these students, as it discriminates them of their race o their ethnic origin.            In relation to the said equality rights, it is as if the instructor is denying the black and Asian students of the right to equal protection of the law. On my observations, most of his jokes and side comments are directed towards these people whenever they give incorrect answers. He is fond of doing this, which is usually taken by other students as a regular classroom humor. But if the white student incorrectly answers the relatively easy question given to them, the instructor would not make a joke or any reaction to it.            In the Part I Freedom from Discrimination of the Human Rights Code under services, it is stated that â€Å"Every person has the right to equal treatment with respect to services, goods and facilities, without discrimination because of race, ancestry, place of origin, color, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, or disability†(â€Å"Legal Digest for Ontario Educators,†2007-2008, p.28). In relation to this, the instructor has clearly deviated from this, as he didn’t acknowledge the black and Asian student’s right to equal treatment with respect to the services being given. As a teacher, the service that he offers is teaching these students lessons and new information on various concerns. Because of his bias towards the white students, he is denying other students of an equal treatment in terms of the services that he offers.            In order to address this problem, we should look at it in an unbiased perspective. The concern would be on how to take care of the problem of discrimination. Every student has the right to be accommodated and to be served, and this is according to the Part IV, Boards, Duties and Powers under no.6 provide instruction and accommodation (â€Å"Legal Digest for Ontario Educators,†2007-2008, p.27) The first move is to deal with how the instructor treats his students and how he would be able to fairly give out the hard and easy questions. He needs to devise a way which he could randomly pick a student to answer a question regardless of their color or race. This could be done by drawing note cards containing the names of the students. Drawing lots would lessen the need to directly pinpoint which student answers what question.            If a legal action is to be made against the instructor, then the student should be given the support they need from the parents, and has to be given proper representation in the court of law. If he or she is under 18 years of age, he is still entitled to what should be given to a person more than 18 years old (â€Å"Legal Digest for Ontario Educators,†2007-2008, p.28). This is according to the     Accommodation of person under eighteen of the Human Rights Code.            The instructor also has to work on his habit of joking about his students, regardless of the race or class they came from. This could lead to complications like lack of interest in the subject, as well as poor performance in the class. Instead of joking about his students, he could think of similar situations and imaginary names of people to be used when he feels the need to give a joke to the class.            In this exercise, I’ve learned that people view things differently. Their perspectives could be affected by their color or race, so commenting or joking about this matter could directly affect their feelings. Because of this, we must be careful of what we say or do, as we don’t know how others might perceive our actions or statements. References: Legal Digest for Ontario Educators, 2007-2008. (2007).  Retrieved February 9, 2008, from www.e-laws.gov.on.ca Â
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