Welcome to Equity and Executive Function
Broadly speaking, bias is a tendency to lean in favor of or against a person, group, idea, or thing, usually in a way that is unfair. Biases are natural — a functioning brain recognizes certain patterns and even makes generalizations about what it observes. These same brain processes also can lead to overgeneralization and discrimination.
We need to recognize that these biases don’t simply exist in a vacuum or in our minds — they affect the way we make decisions and act and as educators, we need to be well aware of how they affect what we do each day in the classroom.
This two (2) hour course investigates how bias, equity, and Executive Function play a role in educating today’s students. You can choose to complete it in one or many sessions individually or as a group. Included in each module is a Reflect and Apply section to facilitate discussions.
(To learn more about our courses or enroll in EF 305, click here.)
Key ideas:
- Define equity, bias, and socioeconomic status (SES)
- Review the basics of Executive Function
- Explore how bias may be implicit or explicit and how it may be expressed by individuals
- Understand the effects of bias and SES on academic achievement and how Executive Function can counteract those effects
- Explore ways to address equity in the classroom
This course includes formative assessments after each module as well as a final assessment upon completion of all content. Get started by clicking on Module 1: What is Equity? below!
