Examining the Deficit Narrative

This chapter addresses the deficit-laden narratives about Black boys by offering a dramatic alternative, that is, a paradigm shift to recognize and value the funds of knowledge of Black boys, and in doing so, redefine the constructs of success for Black boys. As a starting point, the author contends that researchers, teachers, school and district administrators, and policymakers must unequivocally reject and rebuke current deficit-based narratives about Black boys. These false narratives, which are harmful to Black boys, make it impossible for them ever to find success or be viewed as successful in K-12 education. A critical paradigm was selected as most appropriate. Using the African American Male Theory as well as an Anti-Deficit Framework, this chapter will highlight the funds of knowledge of Black boys to demonstrate counter-stories of their learning and successes, and in doing so, not only rewrite the deficit narratives of Black boys, but also broaden academia's perspective on how we define knowledge and whose knowledge counts.

Constructing Culturally-Authentic Differentiated Access Points Using the Content Imperatives

The need to create culturally authentic and specific learning experiences is a call to action that all teachers must answer. Current definitions of differentiation either avoid or exclude topics of culture and race. These definitions are incomplete and must be expanded if the needs, interests, abilities, and cultural assets of gifted learners are to be addressed in a classroom. Under this expanded definition, differentiation strategies must be culturally authentic and purposefully integrated into the opportunities provided to gifted learners. It is incumbent upon teachers to reorient differentiation strategies they employ with gifted and advanced learners, so they become culturally authentic and contextually relevant. This chapter provides the reorientation of one differentiation strategy: the content imperatives. This chapter (1) defines the content imperatives, (2) demonstrates how they can be used as the catalyst for honoring the funds of knowledge that students bring into any learning experience, and (3) creates culturally-authentic access points into content for all learners.

Critical Consciousness Checklist

This chapter aims at providing pre-service and in-service teachers with a tool to analyze the criticality of their lessons. Teacher training programs are focused heavily on reflection of the effectiveness of an educator's classroom. This reflection generally concerns itself with ensuring that students meet learning targets and master the content. This chapter examines reflection through the lens of critical praxis, including positions of power, funds of knowledge, and meaning making. It provides a recommended checklist of questions aimed at facilitating an analysis of the extent to which lessons and activities successfully allow students to inhabit positions of power, access their funds of knowledge, and make meaning. Implications of critical reflective inquiry will enable teachers to more equitably guide students through their education.

HMông Students’ Sources of Funds of Knowledge: A Case Study of Kinh Primary School Teachers’ Practices

Teachers working with ethnic minority students who have different language and cultural background from their own may have little knowledge of their students in out-of-school context. This lack of students’ knowledge and resources outside of the school may lead to deficit thinking regarding this non-dominated group as intellectually and academically deficient. Underachievement and low study engagement by HMông ethnic minority students in disadvantaged primary schools in Vietnam evidence a need for more effective teaching practices to support these minority students’ learning and reduce inequality within their educational environment. The funds of knowledge (FoK) approach attempts to overcome teachers’ perceptions of ethnic minority students and their knowledge through learning about these students’ FoK and incorporating these insights into the teaching practices. The purpose of this study is to explore how Kinh teachers identify HMông students’ sources of FoK in order to support their teaching/learning practices. This research employs qualitative educational research method together with case study method to examine the way Kinh primary teachers identify HMông students’ sources of FoK. The findings indicate that Kinh primary teachers identified HMông students’ different sources of FoK that the teachers could beneficially be drawing on to empowering HMông children’ participation, achievement and Kinh teachers’ teaching practices.

Applying Funds of Knowledge in a New Zealand High School: The Emergence of Team-based Collaboration as an Approach

<p>Underachievement by Māori and Pasifika students in New Zealand schools evidences the need for more effective teacher practices to support minoritized students‟ learning, in the interests of social justice. Learning about students' funds of knowledge (FoK) allows teachers to offer relevant learning experiences, achieving a fuller socio-constructivist approach to teaching and learning (González, Moll, & Amanti, 2005). This study explores the relevance of the FoK concept in the New Zealand context, and its application at high school level. For the purposes of this qualitative study, participants (n = 21) from a high school community were organized into five teams; three teams included a teacher, students, and their parents, and two included a teacher and students. Each team negotiated, implemented, and evaluated strategies for the teacher to learn about students' FoK. Findings highlight the dual layer of benefits arising from participation in collaborative teams and teacher inquiry into students' FoK. Each team formed a temporary system which transcended school norms and values, allowed members to interact in new ways, and provided a safe space for exploration of the application of FoK. A conceptual map outlining elements of the team-based collaboration (TBC) approach identifies factors related to purpose, participants, and process which generated each team's culture. Complex interplay of contextual elements influenced teams' milieu, decision-making, and valued outcomes. Valued outcomes included: identification of diverse FoK held by Māori and Pasifika students; development of closer teacher-student relationships and increased mutual commitment; greater evidence of effective learning behaviors in class; and pedagogical applications that were congruent with existing teaching programs. Barriers to valued outcomes suggest areas for participant training; these included the matching of strategy choice to participants to illuminate FoK, traditional teacher-student dynamics, and time and timing. Implications for teacher practice and future research are identified.</p>

Applying Funds of Knowledge in a New Zealand High School: The Emergence of Team-based Collaboration as an Approach

<p>Underachievement by Māori and Pasifika students in New Zealand schools evidences the need for more effective teacher practices to support minoritized students‟ learning, in the interests of social justice. Learning about students' funds of knowledge (FoK) allows teachers to offer relevant learning experiences, achieving a fuller socio-constructivist approach to teaching and learning (González, Moll, & Amanti, 2005). This study explores the relevance of the FoK concept in the New Zealand context, and its application at high school level. For the purposes of this qualitative study, participants (n = 21) from a high school community were organized into five teams; three teams included a teacher, students, and their parents, and two included a teacher and students. Each team negotiated, implemented, and evaluated strategies for the teacher to learn about students' FoK. Findings highlight the dual layer of benefits arising from participation in collaborative teams and teacher inquiry into students' FoK. Each team formed a temporary system which transcended school norms and values, allowed members to interact in new ways, and provided a safe space for exploration of the application of FoK. A conceptual map outlining elements of the team-based collaboration (TBC) approach identifies factors related to purpose, participants, and process which generated each team's culture. Complex interplay of contextual elements influenced teams' milieu, decision-making, and valued outcomes. Valued outcomes included: identification of diverse FoK held by Māori and Pasifika students; development of closer teacher-student relationships and increased mutual commitment; greater evidence of effective learning behaviors in class; and pedagogical applications that were congruent with existing teaching programs. Barriers to valued outcomes suggest areas for participant training; these included the matching of strategy choice to participants to illuminate FoK, traditional teacher-student dynamics, and time and timing. Implications for teacher practice and future research are identified.</p>

DACA Funds of Knowledge: Testimonios of Access to and Success in Higher Education

Using testimonios, we highlight six current university Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students’ funds of knowledge, or the lived experiences and culturally developed skills, specific to being DACA recipients, that these students leveraged in the past, currently lean on now for continued success, and learn what resources are lacking at university. Sharing these students’ “DACA funds of knowledge,” of navigating public education to successfully attend institutions of higher education, provides insight into equitable educational paths for those who follow.