Value diversity
When we design learning environments proactively for variability, we anticipate and value the incredible strengths and diversity of all our learners. (CAST, 2018)
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Go to top of current page: Value diversity
Recognise diversity as a strength
Recognise diversity as a strength
“Diversity” needs to be recognised as a strength for a future-oriented learning system, something to be actively fostered, not a weakness that lowers the system’s performance.
Diversity encompasses everyone’s variations and differences, including their cultures and backgrounds.
Rachel Bolstad and Jane Gilbert, with Sue McDowall, Ally Bull, Sally Boyd and Rosemary Hipkins
Create an inclusive, welcoming culture
Create an inclusive, welcoming culture
Inclusive education means all learners are welcomed by their local early learning service and school, and are supported to play, learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of life at the school or service.
- Welcome all learners regardless of the complexity of their needs.
- Develop systems for smooth and well planned transitions into school.
- Work in partnership with learners, whānau, teachers, teaching assistants and support specialists to provide support from the outset.
- Foster a caring, safe and respectful whole-school environment.
- Foster the identity, language and culture of all learners.
- Share clear and specific expectations for the student’s individual learning journey.
Adapted from:
What an inclusive school looks like (PDF) – Ministry of Education
Enhancing staff capability at Newtown School – Education Gazette
Why learner variability matters
Why learner variability matters
Dr Todd Rose, Harvard University, talks about why planning for variability is critical.
Closed Captions
Know your learners
Know your learners
To plan learning experiences that will give all students opportunities to make connections to new concepts, teachers need to understand what each student brings to their learning.
Gather and analyse a wide range of information about learners, from:
- achievement
- observations
- conversations with them
- conversations with their peers, families, and whānau.
Walk in learner's shoes
Walk in learner's shoes
Learn about diversity together
Learn about diversity together
- Be open to learning from and with parents, whānau and your local community and make decisions together.
- Engage in genuine dialogue with whānau and make decisions together.
- Create multiple opportunities for your community to ask questions about inclusion and what it would mean for their own child.
- Invite your community to see activities that explicitly model inclusion at your school, or at another school.
- Offer presentations or workshops to parents and whānau about the value of including all learners.
- Create opportunities for students and their whānau to share what valuing diversity means to them.
- Be ready to articulate your vision for inclusion in language that your community can relate to.
Next steps
More suggestions for implementing the strategy “Commit to whole-school approaches”:
Return to the guide “Behaviour and learning”
How to use this site
Guide to Index of the guide: Behaviour and learning
Understand:
Strategies for action:
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Commit to whole-school approachesShow suggestions for Commit to whole-school approaches
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Foster relationships and partnershipsShow suggestions for Foster relationships and partnerships
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Design learning for allShow suggestions for Design learning for all
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Foster wellbeing and mental healthShow suggestions for Foster wellbeing and mental health
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Embed social and emotional learningShow suggestions for Embed social and emotional learning
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Be proactiveShow suggestions for Be proactive
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Respond in challenging situationsShow suggestions for Respond in challenging situations
