SD308

Conscious Knowledge

Equity Language

Ableism

Refers to practices, beliefs, and policies that systematically discriminate against people with dis/abilities
(Paris, 2017)

Access

All members of the educational community should have entrance into, involvement with, and full participation of resources, conversations, initiatives, and choices which are attentive to heritage and community practices
(Paris, 2012)

Achievement Gap

“The achievement gap between whites, blacks, and Latinos holds white wealthy students' performance as the standard of excellence without interrogating whether or not their performance is worthy of comparison. Instead of asking if how they performed is excellent, the inter-racially comparative nature of the "achievement gap" suggests that blacks, Latinos, Native Americans, special education students, and those receiving free and reduced-priced lunch should do whatever white students are doing."
This term has now been replaced with the opportunity gap; the achievement gap places the responsibility of achievement on marginalized groups, rather than the systems in place causing the disparities.

Critical Consciousness

The willingness and ability to see how power and privilege are at work to systematically advantage some while simultaneously disadvantaging others
(Radd & Kramer, 2013)

Culturally Responsive Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (CRPBIS)

A framework that aims at remediating school cultures that reproduce behavioral outcome disparities and marginalization of nondominant students and families
(Bal, 2011)

Cultural Repertoire

The entire collection of students' lived experiences, home traditions, and social identities
(Lamont & Fleming, 2005)

Diversity

Is not a proxy for race, but rather is an authentic, genuine, and equitable representation of individuals representing different races, national origins, sexual orientations, religions, and individuals with dis/abilities
(Jackson, Coomer, Dagli, Skelton, Kyser, & Thorius, 2017)

Educational Equity

When educational policies, practices, interactions, and resources, are representative of, constructed by, and responsive to all students such that each student has access to, can meaningfully participate, and make progress in high-quality learning experiences resulting in positive outcomes regardless of individual characteristics and cultural identities
(Fraser, 2008; Great Lakes Equity Center, 2012)

Equality

Derived from the concept of fairness as uniform distribution, where everyone is entitled to the same level of access and can avail themselves if they so choose
(Schement, 2001)

Equity-Centered Curriculum and Instruction

Curricula and instructional practices that remove barriers to learning for all students, especially students who have been historically marginalized based on race, gender, dis/ability, national origin, religion and sexuality; are inclusive in the representation of the histories, experiences, practices and perspectives of diverse people; and promote social analysis and critiques toward social improvement
(Moore et al, 2015)

Equity-Oriented Leadership

Leadership that brings about transformative change towards equity, inspires permanent, positive changes in both individuals and systems to create the conditions for and mobilize efforts toward equity, including an awareness of and attention to the nested nature of our educational systems which pose as barriers towards equity
(Artiles & Kozleski, 2007? Waitoller & Kozleski, 2013)

High Outcomes

Efficacy of solutions that benefit all towards self-determination and the ability to act as contributing citizens in a democratic society and global community.

Implicit Bias

The attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. The biases, which encompass both favorable and unfavorable assessments, are activated involuntarily and without an individual's awareness or intentional control
(Blair, 2002 and Rudman, 2004, as cited in Staats & Patton, 2013)

Inclusion

Creating a society in which all children and their families feel welcomed and valued

Inclusive Classrooms

Acknowledgement of the myriad ways in which students differ from one another, class, gender, race, ethnicity, family background, sexual orientation, language, abilities, size, religion, etc., and the ability to value this diversity and design and implement productive and sensitive responses

Institutional Racism

The unexamined and unchallenged system of racial biases and residual white advantage that persists in our institutions of learning is not seen as a problem worthy of attention

Oppression

A set of policies, practices, traditions, norms, definitions and explanations (discourses), which function to systematically exploit one social group to the benefit of another social group
(Sensoy & DiAngelo, 2012, p. 39)

Meaningful Participation

Agency and voice are afforded to all members of a community, by intentionally centering members who have been historically on the margins including, but not limited to people living in underresourced communities, people with dis/abilities, as well as racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse individuals. Multiple perspectives are pursued and valued
(Fraser, 1998)

Minority

The use of the word minority and the comparative mentality that's formed as a result is often introduced to Black and Brown people at the most malleable point of life: childhood. That mindset festers throughout childhood, prompting an inferiority complex that makes these children feel they cannot excel due to systemic oppression. Non-whites are already a majority of the world's population. In our lifetime, people of color will compose a majority in America
(Lambert, 2020)

Opportunity Gap

The inequitable distribution of resources and opportunities between populations; mainly referencing that students from low socioeconomic backgrounds or historically underserved racial and ethnic populations are not privileged to the types of resources and opportunities their White, middle-high income peers are

Positionality

The multiple, unique experiences that situate each of us; namely that gender, [gender expression], race, class, [ability, religion, national origin, language], and other aspects of our identities are markers of relational positions rather than essential qualities
(Takacs, 2003; Maher & Tetreault, 1993; Alcoff, 1988)

Positive Outcomes

Efficacy of solutions benefit all towards self-determination and the ability to act as contributing members in a democratic society and global community.

Privilege

Any advantage that is unearned, exclusive, and socially conferred
(Johnson, 2006)

Racial Bias

[Race-based] attitudes or [negative] stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions
(Staats, Capatosto, Wright, & Contractor, 2015)

Racism

A belief that inherent differences among various races determine cultural and individual achievements, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior

Representation

Ensuring adequate presence of all when making decisions to examine patterns of underlying beliefs, practices, policies, structures and norms that may marginalize specific groups and limit opportunity
(Mulligan & Kozleski, 2009; Chen et al, 2014)

Responsive

Authentic positive reception of historically marginalized group students assets and lived experiences, within the learning environment
(Whiteman, Thorius, Skelton, & Kyser, 2015)

Restorative Justice

Across contexts, restorative principles emphasize repairing harm. In schools, the restorative justice approach is viewed as an alternative to suspensions and expulsions that emphasizes creating safe learning environments through community building and redressing damage
(Riestenberg, 2012)

Stereotype

Blanket beliefs and expectations about members of certain groups that present an oversimplified opinion, prejudiced attitude, or uncritical judgment. They go beyond necessary and useful categorizations and generalizations in that they are typically negative, are based on little information, and are highly generalized
(National Conference for Community and Justice, n.d., p. 7)

Transformative Systemic Change

Pursuing shifts toward equity at all levels by redistributing quality educational opportunities for all students, recognizing and valuing all students' differences, and cultivating spaces for families and students to meaningfully participate in the decisions that affect their learning trajectories
(Fraser, 1997, 2008; Waitoller & Artiles, 2010; Waitoller & Kozleski, 2013, p. 28)

Transgender/Trans

Describes a person whose gender identity and assigned sex at birth do not correspond. Also used as an umbrella term to include gender identities outside of male and female. Sometimes abbreviated as trans.
(National LGBT Health Education Center, 2016, p. 5)

Intersectionality

People are often disadvantaged by multiple sources of oppression: their race, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, and other identity markers. The oppression comes from all identity markers, but at the intersection is a new form of oppression. It is also important to note that for some, intersectionality can provide advantages and be empowering depending on those identity markers (i.e. Cisgender/Male)
(Kimberle' Crenshaw, 1989)

Impactful Language

Language	Implication	Alternative Word
Afflicted by, Suffering from, Victim of…	Any illness or condition someone has (physical or mental) simply is a fact and to couch it with words such as “afflicted by,” “suffers from,” or “is a victim of,” says more about your take on their situation than theirs.	“He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder”
At - Risk	This term positions BIPOC people and communities as the centers of risk, but the risks in their lives stem from criminalization, policing, and less access to economic freedom than the actual community itself. This is “victim blaming” and holds BIPOC communities responsible for overcoming conditions created by oppression rather than dismantling that oppression.	Our students who face the possibility of risk, need to be liberated from the responsibility of their risk. The external factors cause risk, not the other way around.
Blacklist	The term blacklist (black market, black sheep) implies that the first part of the word, black, is ‘bad, dangerous, forbidden´ and therefore inadvertently perpetuates harmful biases and contributes to systemic racism.	Boycott, denylist, blocked
Black Thumb	The term implies an inability to make plants grow or to fail as a gardener. Outside of the gardening world, this phrase is confusing and implies again that black is bad.	dirty thumb, plant killer, botanical failure, or horticultural disaster
Broken Home	A family in which one parent is absent, usually due to divorce or desertion. The term broken home entered English in the mid-1800s to cover the absence of one parent for any unfortunate reason, including prolonged illness, incarceration, or extreme poverty.. This term can be quite negative and may carry a stigma that unfairly labels children and parents.	Some synonyms for "broken home" might include "divorced family," "blended family," "single-parent household," or "separated family."
Dead Name (misused)	A deadname is the birth name of a transgender person who has changed their name as part of their gender transition. Deadnaming is sometimes done inadvertently by people who have forgotten the name change or by companies who haven’t been updated. It’s also done maliciously, too, to denigrate the gender expression of a transgender person. Deadnaming is considered a microaggression and can cause dysphoria and anxiety.	Chosen name
Homosexual	Outdated and history has not used this term in a particularly accepting context.	Gay or Lesbian
Hooligans	Originally started in England as a family of Irish named the hoolihans caused trouble in a particular area of England, it has been a reference to aggressive, dangerous, violent, abusive, loutish, and other behaviors.	Depending on the shade of meaning needed: criminal or troublemaker
Identity Issues	When someone is on a journey of discovery, there may be lots of questions and overcoming obstacles. The term “issues” implies problems, in a deficit way and is a demeaning term to describe this journey.	Instead of ‘issues’ use ‘questions’ or ‘uncertainty’ as these are more respectable terms to describe the journey.
Indian Giver	The idea that someone gave you something, and then asked for it back. The history of this term dates back to encounters between White settlers and Native Americans, when trade was a cultural norm for Natives. Any gifts were expected to be reciprocal trades, and those norms were misunderstood by White settlers, eventually growing into an insult.	Conditional giver, retractor, take back giver
Lifestyle	A negative term often incorrectly used to describe the lives of people who are LGBTQ. The term is disliked because it implies that being LGBTQ is a choice, when it is in fact innate.	Use the term “experience” instead, as this is something people live daily
Low Income	Low income is considered making $14, 580 annually as of 2023 for a single person. This term is still used in many housing, education, and financial institutions.	economically disadvantaged, financially insecure, resource-limited, or economically marginalized or people made vulnerable to poverty, people disadvantaged by the system, communities facing barriers
Mainstreaming	This describes what is viewed as “normal”, implies students with disabilities must adapt to the rigor of general education instead of the environment being created to meet needs of all. Implies they are expected to “keep up” and make similar gains as other students. The act of including people who have particular difficulties or needs in the same schools or places of work as everyone else. Mainstreaming is the process of making something start to be considered normal which implies that other spaces are not normal.	Rightful presence- creating an environment of true belonging.
Master (bedroom)	“Master” dates back to slavery, and white people being the ultimate controllers of black people. We don’t want to perpetuate this.	Primary, Main Use other terms to describe that it is the ‘main’ thing
Midget	People with dwarfism — little people — consider this term a dehumanizing, hurtful and offensive slur. It is rooted in circus freak shows in which they were subjected to laughter and ridicule.	Little person or person of short stature. Dwarfism is a medical condition not to be confused or used synonymously with someone who only has a short stature.
Minority	Calling people of color minorities, aims to separate and divide, so that people of color always feel outnumbered or less. The term minority, also has implications of less	Name the ethnicity or person of color
Mute	Derogatory term for a person who doesn't use verbal speech, often referring to people who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have speech disabilities. Identifying individuals as silent makes this term offensive as it implies the person has no voice or means of communicating.	The term “non-speaking” can be used to describe an individual using AAC. Otherwise describe a person by the tools they use to communicate. (Ex: A student that is a multimodal communicator, a student that uses ASL to communicate) Mute & Nonverbal Language
No Can Do	The term “can” describes one's ability, and misuse of the term is disrespectful to people with varying abilities. If someone does have the ability, but is choosing not to do something, there are other words to more accurately describe that.	I don’t want to. I’m not interested. I don’t have time.
Normal	Referring to someone who does not have a disability as a “normal person” implies that people with disabilities are strange or odd. Use “normal” only in medical/scientific context such as “normal test result” or “normal growth.”	Usual, Typical,
Old People	This “others” a group and connotes a stereotype that perpetuates ageism	Older people, older adults
Peanut Gallery	This term is often used to mean “a group of people who criticize someone; sharing their opinions when they’re unwanted.” Historically, in Vaudeville, it was the cheapest seats, and often designated for Black people.	hecklers, interrupters
POC (when not Black)	“The term ‘people of color’ centers whiteness even as it attempts to be an affirming identity label for non-white people. The term perpetuates the pernicious idea that whiteness is the default and white people therefore have no particular race.” The term ‘people of color’ is not accepted by all communities, including the Black community. “The term ‘people of color’ reflects Black Americans’ particular history with racial oppression in the US… Not too long ago, Black people in the US were called colored people as a way to segregate them from the color-free, white people.”	Name the ethnicity or call them: people of the global majority. This makes non-white people's identities independent of whiteness; it affirms non-white people’s inherent power as the majority of the world’s population; it is inclusive of all non-white people around the world.
Preferred Pronouns	Preferred pronouns implies that you prefer one pronoun over another. It implies that the person would rather be called one pronoun but if you do not want to you may call them a different set of pronouns.	What pronouns do you use?
Queer	Definitions of this word have varied throughout history. It has been defined as “strange, odd, peculiar, eccentric.”	Some members of the LGBTQIA+ community have reclaimed the word, so it's best to not assume a label, and to ask how they identify
Self-contained	While these classroom settings may provide individualized instruction, they also are stigmatized as being a space where kids go when there is something ‘wrong’ with them	Students in Special Programs (Special Programs include: DHH, Instructional Skills Program, STARS, Life Skills, etc.)
Sex change	This term was once used to describe a surgery that alters the body for a person transitioning from the sex they were assigned at birth. It implies that their gender is being changed versus that their body is becoming confirmed to the gender they were meant to be.	Transition
Sexual preference	Many LGBTQ people take issue with the term sexual preference because it implies that who a person is romantically and sexually attracted to is merely a matter of personal choice – an idea that both advocacy organizations and health professionals have long rejected. -CNN This is outdated and offensive.	Sexual orientation or orientation
Slave	“Slave” implies that is the only identity that person has, when in fact Africans had entire lives before being plucked from them and brought to America. (The same goes for: slavery, slave owner)	Enslaved This describes a thing done to a person, and returns humanity back to the individual. (Replace with: enslavement and enslaver) Language Regarding Enslavement
Spaz	The term disrespects people with mental illness or who are neurodivergent.	klutz, clumsy, awkward
Special Needs Differently-abled Cripple/d Victim Unfortunate Handicapped	“The word special in relation to those with disabilities is now widely considered offensive because it euphemistically stigmatizes persons with disabilities” However there is some debate about this within the community. Some people refer to themselves as ‘disabled’. They do not have a disability, they are disabled.	People/Students with disabilities or Disabled person - depends on personal preference
Spirit Animal	In certain spiritual traditions or cultures, spirit animal refers to a spirit which helps guide or protect a person on a journey and whose characteristics that person shares or embodies. These are spiritual guides that take the form of animals often viewed as sacred in tribal cultures, a non-native person using this term is appropriation.	Kindred spirit, reason for living, muse, or guide.
Subgroup	Sub is defined as “under, beneath, below.” It is also important to note that when we group and/or label people, we tend to provide a broad stroke depiction of the group	Identify the specific demographic and if grouping is necessary, it should be used for affinity purposes.
Traditional Gender	This implies there is a ‘normal’ or ‘traditional’ definition, and that anything different than that is not normal. Gender identity exists along a spectrum, and has for decades. Some people may have the same gender identity they were assigned at birth, while others may	Gender identity, gender continuum
Transgenderism, transgendered, transwoman, transman tranny, transvestite, she-male, he/she, lady man, shim, “it,” or transsexual	It is grammatically incorrect and shouldn’t be used. It is offensive and based on fear and lack of understanding. (*If someone identifies as a transsexual to you, this is the appropriate term to use. If they do not use this term, you should not use it either.)	Transgender, trans woman, trans man, woman, man
“Those people”	The phrase "those people" often refers to a group of individuals who are perceived as different or distinct from the speaker or their group. It can carry connotations of judgment, exclusion, or stereotyping, depending on the context. The term might suggest an "us vs. them" mentality, highlighting social, cultural, or ideological divides. In some contexts, it can be neutral, while in others, it can imply bias or prejudice.	Identify the specific demographic or group
Wife Beater	This refers to a white undershirt, and is outdated and insensitive. The term originated in 1947 after a man in Detroit beat his wife to death.	White undershirt, tank top, sleeveless