developing a pedagogy of excellence c. adolfo bermeo, ph.d. senior scholar pell institute for the...
TRANSCRIPT
DEVELOPING A PEDAGOGY OF EXCELLENCE
C. Adolfo Bermeo, Ph.D.
Senior ScholarPell Institute for the Study of Opportunity
in Higher Education
FOR SOME IN OUR SOCIETY, THE ROAD TO A UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IS WIDE OPEN
A DIRECT ROUTE NO ROADBLOCKS NO BARRIERS NO DETOURS
FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
THERE IS AN EXPECTATION THAT THOSE STUDENTS
WILL SUCCEEDWILL EXCEL
AS THEY MOVE THROUGH SCHOOL THEY WILL BE : READING INCREASINGLY COMPLEX MATERIAL
TAKING INCREASINGLY COMPLEX MATH AND
SCIENCE COURSES, WITH LABS
LEARNING TO READ, WRITE, AND THINK
CRITICALLY AND ANALYTICALLY
BUT THAT WILL NOT BE THE CASE FOR OTHER CHILDREN:
AFRICAN AMERICANS
LATINOS
NATIVE AMERICANS
IMMIGRANTS
THE POOR OF ALL RACES
OF EVERY 100 AFRICAN AMERICAN, LATINO, AND NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN:
50 WON’T GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL
10 WILL GO TO COLLEGE8 WILL GO TO A COMMUNITY COLLEGE
2.5 WILL ENTER UNIVERSITY
1 WILL GRADUATE FROM UNIVERSITY
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Percent
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2040
Year
California Population by White and Non-White, 1970-2040
White
Non-White
The Changing Face of California
IN TRYING TO RESPOND TO:
Changing DemographyChanging SocietyChanging Student Body
EDUCATORS OFTEN DEVELOP: A LANGUAGE TO
DESCRIBE STUDENTS: Underprepared Culturally
Disadvantaged Unmotivated At Risk
CREATE PROGRAMS BASED ON:
Student Weaknesses &
DeficitsRather Than On Student
Strengths & Experience
PROGRAMS THAT FOCUS ON: Academic Survival And On Fixing & Changing the Student to Fit the Institution
IN FACT, SCHOOLS REFLECT SOCIETY
HAVE LOWER EXPECTATIONS OF
CERTAIN STUDENTS
HAVE LOWER STANDARDS IN TEACHING
THOSE STUDENTS
WITH THE PREDICTABLE RESULT OF
LOWER ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE
SO THE QUESTION IS:How do we develop a campus culture and climate that encourages all students to excel?
REQUIRES A RETHINKING OF OUR PROGRAM AND OF OURSELVES
WHAT DO WE DO AND WHY DO WE DO IT?
HOW DO WE DO IT?
WHO DO WE DO IT FOR?
WHAT DO WE BELIEVE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS?
WHAT DO WE EXPECT FROM OUR STUDENTS?
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS OF OUR EFFORTS?
HOW CAN WE IMPROVE?
A PEDAGOGY OF EXCELLENCE MUST BE GROUNDED IN THE BELIEF
THAT ALL STUDENTS HAVE THE:
• RIGHT TO AN EDUCATION• CAPACITY TO LEARN• POTENTIAL TO EXCEL• ARE AT POTENTIAL RATHER
THAN AT RISK
IT IS A PEDAGOGY THAT:
COMMUNICATES CONFIDENCE IN ALL STUDENTS
MOTIVATES & ENCOURAGES ALL STUDENTS TO: EXPLORE THEIR TALENTS & ABILITIES ASPIRE TO PERSONAL & ACADEMIC
EXCELLENCE SET THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR
THEMSELVES TAKE THE MOST CHALLENGING AND
INSPIRING CURRICULUM
REQUIRES FACULTY, COUNSELORS, TUTORS, MENTORS THAT:
WORK WITH STUDENTS TO: PLAN THEIR ACADEMIC PROGRAM MONITOR THEIR ACADEMIC PROGRESS
INFORM STUDENTS ABOUT: CAMPUS PROGRAMS & SERVICES
ENGAGE STUDENTS IN ALL ASPECTS OF: CAMPUS LIFE
A PEDAGOGY OF EXCELLENCE REQUIRES:
AN INSTITUTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE:• THAT PROVIDES HIGH LEVELS OF
SUPPORT TO EVERY STUDENT• MENTORING• TUTORING• COUNSELING
AN ADMINISTRATION THAT:SUPPORTS DIVERSITY IN BOTH
ACTION & WORDSPRIORITIZES RESOURCES TO
ENSURE THAT DIVERSITY WORKS FOR ALL STUDENTS
A CAMPUS COMMUNITY THAT: EXPECTS THE BEST FROM EVERY STUDENT
SETS THE HIGHEST STANDARDS FOR EVERY STUDENT
PROVIDES SUPPORT FOR EVERY STUDENT
WORKS TO: IDENTIFY INSTITUTIONAL OBSTACLES
SEEK SOLUTIONS TO THOSE OBSTACLES
HOLDS ITSELF ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY
STUDENT’S ACADEMIC SUCCESS
ENCOURAGES EVERY STUDENT TO
THINK EXCELLENCE
BUILDS ON: THE EXPERIENCE STUDENTS
BRING TO THEIR EDUCATION THEIR DESIRE TO CHANGE
THEIR WORLD AND THEIR LEGITIMATE RAGE
ABOUT THE CONDITIONS IN THEIR WORLD
AND PROVIDES AN ACADEMIC COMMUNITY
• IN WHICH ALL STUDENTS CAN:• BUILD ON THEIR LIFE &
CULTURAL EXPERIENCE• AND BE FULLY ENGAGED AND &
PARTICIPATING CITIZENS IN CAMPUS LIFE
WHILE ALWAYS REMEMBERING
THE BIGGER PICTURETHAT OUR STUDENTS ARE:
• FIRST GENERATION
• LOW-INCOME
• UNDERREPRESENTED
• UNDERSERVED
WHOSE LIVES ARE OFTEN ON THE BOUNDARIES:
CULTURAL, POLITICAL, & ECONOMIC
DISLOCATION AND MARGINILIZATION
FAMILY PRESSURES & RESPONSIBILIITES
FINANCIAL PRESSURES & RESPONSIBILITIES
SOCIAL PRESSURES & DEMANDS
INDIVIDUAL FEARS & ANXIETIES
AND REMAINING COMMITTED TOWHAT WE ARE ABOUT:
OPENING DOORS
INCREASING ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY
MAKING EDUCATION AN INSTRUMENT FOR
SOCIAL JUSTICE
BUILDING A MORE JUST & HUMANE SOCIETY
DEVELOPING LEADERS WHO WILL CONTINUE
THE STRUGGLE TO TRANSFORM OUR SOCIETY
RESULTS AT UCLA: Quantitative:
UCLA Graduation Rates for Latino and African American students:
1985=45%2005=83%
Qualitative: Diversity and Excellence
go hand in hand
