implicit bias

In this article, Ford brings forward a frequently identified root cause of inequity in society and in school discipline, implicit bias. He acknowledges that all people, including educators, are raised in context of social situations and conditioning. Ford refers to methods for raising the issue of implicit bias with teachers, guiding them to introspection and leading them toward individual and systematic change.

The editorial delves into the Comprehensive Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CCEIS), mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to address disparities in the treatment of students of color within local educational agencies (LEAs). When LEAs disproportionately identify students of color in certain categories or discipline them, they are labeled "disproportionate" or "significantly disproportionate."  

The California Department of Education (CDE) State Performance Plan Technical Assistance Project (SPP-TAP) supports LEAs in CCEIS work by guiding them through data analysis, root cause identification, improvement planning, and implementation monitoring. Despite initial overwhelm, educators appreciate the structured approach provided by SPP-TAP TA Facilitators. 

The editorial provides examples of successful strategies in districts like Evergreen Elementary Alameda Unified, and Pittsburg Unified such as engaging families through community liaisons and personalized learning plans for "focal scholars." It discusses efforts to address racism, cultural disconnect, and implicit bias through staff training and community outreach. There’s also a focus on empathy and inclusion, alongside efforts to dissolve traditional disciplinary methods and address cultural biases, exemplifies a commitment to equity. 

This article’s authors described racial and ethnic inequity in educational systems from the vantage point of psychological theory. Practitioners may be interested in this work because it links disparities in education to disparities in society overall. Additionally, the suggested interventions are provided based on established psychological concepts.

This report on the school-to-prison pipeline examines root causes of school and societal failure for certain groups and offers resolutions and strategies for addressing inequities.

Perception Institute partnered with the Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society at UC Berkeley and the Center for Policing Equity at UCLA to generate this report, which provides an in-depth look at the role of implicit bias, racial anxiety, and stereotype threat in producing disparities in education and healthcare.