Option 2- Research Studies

If I had the means to research any topic related to education, I would like to look at assessment in the elementary grades. These days, too much emphasis is placed on standardized testing, and I feel that our kids are over-tested. Teachers are "teaching to the test" and no one takes into consideration what our children may have faced that morning. We look at unsatisfactory test scores and automatically blame the teachers and the children. Could it have been that the child didn't get enough sleep the night before, missed breakfast, isn't feeling well, or is going through family troubles? I would like to look at other countries and how they view or carry out testing, and their findings.

Teaching Diversity in Education

"Building positive identities and a respect for differences means weaving diversity into the fabric of children's everyday lives. Working with families is an important first step in helping children accept, understand, and value their rich and varied world" (Gonzalez-Mena, J & Pulido-Tobiassen, D, 1999).

I was given the amazing opportunity to live and teach in Ghana, Africa and ever since it has been important to me to share my story, and the story of my students, with my current class. I teach in a small rural, predominately caucasian-catholic town. There is little to no diversity. The majority of my students have not been exposed to others who differ from themselves in terms of race, religion, learning abilities, class status, etc. They amaze me every year with their excitement and curiosity in learning about my friends from Africa. Because of this, I chose to make teaching diversity in the classroom my personal research journey.

In researching this topic, I have found a lot of suggestions and ideas in how to bring diversity education into your classroom. This is all well and good, but I would like to narrow my research to things like how many schools teach diversity education, where are they located, is it mostly urban schools that teach this topic, etc.

The United States continues to grow and change, and it is a place of freedom. Our differences need to be celebrated and talked about. Diversity is not something that should only be taught in places where it is predominate, but everywhere, even in the small towns like the one I teach. It is important that our youngest learners know that everyone is different, and that's okay!