Social Justice Education

-Danisha White

Learning Targets

Students should be able to explain what social justice is.
Student should be able to identify those affected in social justice education
Students should be able to explain the importance of Social Justice Education in the classroom.

"Seeing the Unseen in Education"

Image of Ruby Bridges (age 6) being escorted as the first African American to attend an all-white school.

November 14, 1960

"Let's Take a Look at How School Demographics Have Changed Throughout History"

2025-1960

videoschhols2025-1960

Created by Danisha White

What is Social Justice Education?

Social Justice is about promoting fairness, equity, and inclusion, especially for groups that have been historically marginalized by race, gender, or social economic status (Grant et al, 2013). In education this means helping students and educators not only recognize but challenge the systems and biases that aid inequality. The goal is to ensure equal opportunities for ALL students to succeed (Free Legal Services, nd.)

Who's Affected?

Minorities: African Americans, Latinx, Native American, or students from other marginalized backgrounds often experience inequalities in access, representation and treatment in schools
Students from low Socioeconomic backgrounds: Economic disadvantaged can create barriers to learning such as limited access to resourced and academic support. (Noltemeyer & Grapin, 2020)
English Learning Learners (ELL), may face linguistic and cultural challenges in mainstream classrooms
Students with Disabilities: Historically have been excluded and inaccurately supported in educational environments (Without pity: A film about abilities, 1996)
Immigrants and refuge Students

So, Why Does it Matter?

Social Justice Education helps students develop critical thinking skills, connect their learning to real world issues, and become active engaged members of society. Beyond the classroom is encourages students to have discussions on topic that affects them on a daily basis, while promoting not only collaboration among peers but opportunities for all. Research (International Research Journal, 2023)., shows it also plays a crucial role in preparing then to navigate and improve the word we live in.

Strategies to Implement in the Classroom:

See Every Student. Value Every Story.

Create a classroom where every student feels seen and valued.

Diversify What You Teach.
Fill your lessons with books, examples, and perspectives that reflect ALL cultures, races, and languages.
Make It Real.
Connect classroom content to your students’ real lives and experiences.
Teach for Every Learner.
Adapt your lessons to meet the needs of students with disabilities, English language learners, and those from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Use Your Voice.
Speak up when you see inequity or exclusion.

Knowledge Check:

Who is affected by Social Justice Education?

A. High achieving students
B. Students from affluent backgrounds
C. Students from ELL families
D. Students with perfect attendance

Correct Answer: (C) students from ELL families

Application:

You notice your curriculum only includes literature by white authors. What would be the best action to take from a social justice perspective?

- A. Acknowledge the lack of diversity and tell students to appreciate the classics.
- B. Add diverse voice and perspectives into your reading.
- C. Replace all the current reading curriculum with only authors from marginalized communities
- D. Teach the material as it is

Correct Answer: (B) Add diverse voices and perspectives into your reading

References

California Civil Justice Solutions. (n.d.). Free legal advice 24/7: Your guide to assessing expert legal help anytime, anywhere. Social Justice in Education: An Inclusive Path Forward - Free Legal Services

Grant, C. A., & Gibson, M. L. (2013). “The path of social justice”: A Human Rights History of Social Justice Education. Equity & Excellence in Education, 46(1), 81–99. https://doi.org/10.1080/10665684.2012.750190

International Research Journals. (2023). Examining the role of social justice in promoting equity and fairness in education. International Research Journal of Art and Social Sciences, 11(3), 1-4. Examining the Role of Social Justice in Promoting Equity and Fairness in Education

Mierendorf, M. (Director), & Reeve, C. (Narrator). (1996). Without pity: A film about abilities [Documentary film]. HBO. https://canvas.odu.edu/courses/167156/external_tools/retrieve?resource_link_lookup_uuid=bd665947-3573-4f3f-acf8-800008b1ee55&display=borderless

Noltemeyer, A., & Grapin, S. L. (2020). Working together towards social justice, anti-racism, and equity: a joint commitment from school psychology international and journal of educational and psychological consultation. School Psychology International, 42(1), 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034320977618 (Original work published 2021)

How I Used AI:

ChatGPT4 was used to help curate questions example for the application question section.

ChatGPT4 was also used to edit paraphrased paragraphs from Lesson Essay Assignment to fit into Lesson, while keeping all important information.

ChatGPT4 was used to cite Without Pity Video in references.

Reflection

I used AI in this assignment, and overall, it made the process longer because I had to double- and triple-check references and carefully paraphrase to maintain my tone without changing the intended information. It helped improve my writing by shortening wordy sentences and reducing repetition. I believe it also enhanced my lessons in some areas and strengthened the clarity and focus of my work.

My thoughts are that AI is a powerful tool, but it should be used responsibly and never as a crutch. My personal policy is to use AI only when a course allows it and to indicate the areas where it has been used. Overall, I believe rather than discouraging its use, we should focus on teaching students and professionals how to use AI effectively and ethically, since technology will continue to advance and AI is here to stay

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