For Fall 2022, The Ohio State University is a new Graduate Certificate in Anti-Racism in Education.

presented by University of Education and Human Ecology (EHE)According to EHE Associate Professor Winston Thompson, who manages the program, the certificate provides a resource for current and future educators to examine issues of race and identity both inside and outside the classroom.

“We see this as a compelling certification offering for K-12 classroom teachers trying to navigate what’s going on in their classroom space,” he said. “You can imagine that this would be attractive to current students at Ohio State University. They may be graduate students, but they want to ponder how to better understand race in their classes. Or maybe they are graduate students who are considering a teaching career in the future and want this certificate in preparation for that kind of job. “

One of the purposes of the certificate is to address racial disparities in education, said EHE Distinguished Professor Donna Ford, who is also the program administrator.

“White teachers make up about 85 percent of all (K-12) teachers,” she said. “Of all teachers, 1% are Black males, 6% are Black females, 7% are Hispanic, and the gender breakdown is the same.”

Ford cites data she has compiled in her study that shows that people of color are underrepresented in teaching, while black students, especially black men, are overrepresented in negative educational outcomes. increase.

“Who’s the majority being disciplined? Who’s being overrated and put into special education?” she said. “Who does not exist Have you been referred to a gifted program, advanced placement program, etc.?

Ford said the anti-racism diploma in the curriculum is designed to dispel myths.

“My parents called it ‘redhead thinking.’ The more you know about other people, the more you compensate. The more you know about minority children, the more you compensate,” she said. said. “My goal is to seek dynamic thinking, not deficit thinking. The more I know, the less I compensate.”

Ford said the program’s curriculum is well-suited for white teachers leading classrooms with students of color, as well as participants from a variety of backgrounds.

“Minority students will definitely benefit as we need to learn how to be global citizens. We will interact,” she said. “I want to be culturally competent. Minority students, educators, everyone wants to be culturally competent, so for all students who are trying to get this certificate. It’s a win-win.”

This certificate can be pursued concurrently with a graduate degree or as a stand-alone option for students not seeking a degree. Courses offered include ‘Cultural Diversity: Developing Multicultural Awareness’, ‘Promoting Intergroup Dialogue in Education’, and ‘Ethics and Education: Equality, Liberty, and Justice in Schools’.

“The Ohio State University has long offered many very good and thoughtful courses, which encourages teachers to reflect on a lot of this work,” Thompson said. “Bringing them all together under the banner of Certificate of Anti-Racism in Education seems really appropriate at this point.”

Applications for the program’s Spring 2023 Semester class will be accepted until November 1st. For more information and to apply, click here.