PROTECTING THE CIVIL RIGHTS OF STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM

Troy S. Grant

Students with Disabilities

Know your rights Confidently Require your Teachers to

Carry Out IEP accommodations and/or 504 plans

If appropriate, talk about the pink elephant in class (Anna)

For Parents

Know the laws that protect your child Be attentive to the service that your

child receives and the services that are provided at your child’s school.

Find out if your child is receiving the same opportunities as others (i.e., GT)

Find out if your child is being disciplined at a higher rate compared to other populations

Advocate!

Novice Teachers

Brush up on the laws Attend Professional Developments which A. cover new policies on bullying; B. Are conducted by Special EducatorsC. Addresses your LGBT students (They are there) When in doubt, get advice (Brenda) Be a Reflexive Practitioner (without self-

flagellation)A. “Interview” students on how you are doing as a

facilitator of “disability,” “minority” discourse

Students

I protect the civil rights of my students by teaching them about the “why” in Civil Rights laws, what discrimination is, how it’s born, the power of language, affirmative action, and more widely, who might be considered a “minority group.”

I teach students not to limit themselves to legalistic classifications of people and to arm themselves with scholarship—being seekers of knowledge.

I try to nurture curiosity by teaching Socratically

For all of us . . .

Speak up because violations exist and if not addressed, it is discouraging and alienating to the “minorities.”

Examples . . . a. 1st Principal b. Mr. Sondak & Mr. Lippmanc. Selena d. Booker Girls e. “in other words. . .” (translation for a reason)Contact: Troy (T.S.) Grant, tgrant1@umbc.edu or tsgrant.com