CEA Cultural Diversity & Equity in Education 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'code-switching' as it relates to culturally diverse students?
- Switching between different computer programming languages during class
- The ability to alternate between two or more languages or dialects depending on the social context (Correct answer)
- A behavioral intervention strategy for students who struggle with transitions
- Teaching students to decode unfamiliar words using phonics strategies
Correct answer: The ability to alternate between two or more languages or dialects depending on the social context
Code-switching refers to the practice of alternating between languages or dialects depending on the social context, a common and linguistically sophisticated skill among bilingual students.
Question 2: Which educational approach treats students' home cultures and languages as assets rather than obstacles?
- Deficit thinking
- Assimilation model
- Asset-based pedagogy (Correct answer)
- Remediation-focused instruction
Correct answer: Asset-based pedagogy
Asset-based pedagogy views students' cultural backgrounds, languages, and prior experiences as strengths that can be built upon, rather than deficits to be corrected.
Question 3: What is a 'microaggression' in a school setting?
- A minor disciplinary infraction that requires a brief timeout
- A brief but everyday slight or insult that communicates hostile or negative messages to members of marginalized groups (Correct answer)
- An aggressive physical altercation between students of different backgrounds
- A very small class size that limits diverse peer interactions
Correct answer: A brief but everyday slight or insult that communicates hostile or negative messages to members of marginalized groups
Microaggressions are subtle, often unintentional communications that convey demeaning or negative messages to individuals from marginalized groups, and they can cumulatively harm student well-being.
Question 4: What does 'stereotype threat' mean in the context of diverse learners?
- A school policy that enforces rigid gender roles for students
- The risk that confirming a negative stereotype about one's group will undermine a student's academic performance (Correct answer)
- A form of cyberbullying targeting students from minority backgrounds
- A classroom rule about not making generalizations about cultural groups
Correct answer: The risk that confirming a negative stereotype about one's group will undermine a student's academic performance
Stereotype threat is the psychological phenomenon where awareness of a negative stereotype about one's group can create anxiety that impairs performance on tasks related to that stereotype.
Question 5: What does 'cultural competence' mean for an educational assistant?
- Being fluent in at least two languages spoken by students in the school
- Having knowledge of and respect for diverse cultures, while effectively interacting with students from different backgrounds (Correct answer)
- Completing a one-time diversity training course required for certification
- Avoiding any discussion of cultural differences to prevent conflict
Correct answer: Having knowledge of and respect for diverse cultures, while effectively interacting with students from different backgrounds
Cultural competence involves ongoing development of knowledge, awareness, and skills to effectively and respectfully interact with students and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Question 6: How should an educational assistant best respond when a student celebrates a cultural holiday not observed by the school calendar?
- Ignore the student's mention of the holiday to avoid disrupting the class routine
- Acknowledge the celebration respectfully and, when appropriate, incorporate it as a learning opportunity (Correct answer)
- Tell the student that school is not the place for cultural or religious celebrations
- Send the student to the office for bringing non-school topics into the classroom
Correct answer: Acknowledge the celebration respectfully and, when appropriate, incorporate it as a learning opportunity
Acknowledging cultural celebrations respectfully validates the student's identity and can serve as an enriching learning opportunity for the entire class about cultural diversity.
Question 7: Which strategy best supports students from culturally diverse backgrounds in a mixed classroom?
- Grouping students only with peers who share the same cultural background
- Using a single teaching style to ensure consistent treatment of all students
- Incorporating diverse perspectives and examples into lessons while building on students' cultural knowledge (Correct answer)
- Focusing exclusively on the dominant culture's traditions to prepare students for mainstream society
Correct answer: Incorporating diverse perspectives and examples into lessons while building on students' cultural knowledge
Incorporating diverse perspectives and connecting learning to students' cultural knowledge makes instruction more relevant, promotes inclusion, and enriches the learning environment for all students.
CEA Cultural Diversity & Equity in Education 2
What is 'code-switching' as it relates to culturally diverse students?