Segregation by Experience: Agency, Racism, and Learning in the Early Grades

Early childhood is a time of rich discovery, but not all students have access to collaborative learning environments. In Segregation by Experience, Jennifer Keys Adair and Kiyomi Sánchez-Suzuki Colegrove film and study a first-grade classroom led by a Black immigrant teacher who encouraged her diverse group of students to exercise their agency. Educators admired the teacher's practices, but didn't think they would work with their own Black and brown students. Parents of color liked the practices, but worried they would compromise their children. The young children who viewed the film thought the kids in the film were terrible, loud, and badly behaved.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 224 pages
\n Publication date: 10 May 2021
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
\n

Early childhood is a remarkable period of discovery, offering educators a unique opportunity to tap into their students' curiosity and create engaging learning experiences. While some teachers actively engage with their students' ideas, fostering collaborative learning environments, not all students have access to these enriching opportunities. In their book, Segregation by Experience, Jennifer Keys Adair and Kiyomi Sánchez-Suzuki Colegrove take us on a captivating journey into a first-grade classroom led by a Black immigrant teacher. Through meticulous filming and in-depth study, they shed light on the ways in which this teacher encouraged her diverse group of students to exercise their agency and take ownership of their learning.

When the researchers presented the film to other schools, a profound struggle emerged. Educators admired the teacher's innovative practices but questioned their applicability to their own Black and brown students. Parents of color, many of whom were immigrants, appreciated the teacher's methods but expressed concerns about compromising their children's academic success. Surprisingly, even young children who watched the film had negative impressions of the students, labeling them as terrible, loud, and disobedient. They conveyed to the authors that learning was supposed to be quiet, still, and obedient.

Segregation by Experience serves as a powerful reminder of how deeply our expectations of children of color shape their educational experiences. The book challenges us to examine which children are fortunate enough to have sophisticated, dynamic learning opportunities and which are denied these experiences due to perpetuated racist assumptions. It prompts us to question the systems and structures that perpetuate inequality and work towards creating more inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students.

Through their compelling storytelling and insightful analysis, Adair and Sánchez-Suzuki Colegrove offer valuable insights into the complex dynamics of education and the role of educators in shaping children's lives. They remind us that education is not just about imparting knowledge but also about nurturing the whole child, fostering their curiosity, creativity, and agency. By embracing diversity and challenging our biases, we can create learning environments that empower all students to thrive and reach their full potential.

In conclusion, Segregation by Experience is a must-read book for educators, parents, and anyone interested in promoting equity and excellence in education. It sheds light on the barriers that prevent children of color from accessing high-quality learning experiences and provides practical strategies for creating more inclusive and equitable schools. By embracing diversity and challenging our assumptions, we can work towards a brighter future for all children.

\n Weight: 474g\n
Dimension: 159 x 235 x 20 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226765587\n \n