Shifting the Paradigm from Deficit Oriented Schools to
Asset Based Models: Why Leaders Need to Promote an Asset Orientation in our Schools
This week’s reading offered a fresh perspective compared to the last two weeks with Anyon and Khan’s discussions on broken school models. First, there are deficit-oriented school models, which focus on what students lack, such as cultural or socioeconomic differences. This approach often places blame on the student or individual. In contrast, the asset-based model emphasizes what the student brings to the table. Rather than focusing on what is missing, it builds on the strengths and contributions of each student.
In my opinion, leaders should support the asset-based model because it fosters a more trusting and engaging environment. By focusing on strengths, leaders can empower students and staff, creating opportunities for growth and success. Below is an article I found about strength-based learning that highlights this approach.
https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/new-focus-strength-based-learning
I got this question from this article and thought this would be a good question to post for everyone to respond to.
What can teachers do to help highlight student assets and not their deficits? In other words, what can teachers do to help create that mindset for themselves when they look at students and what can they do to help students develop the same view?
https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-focusing-on-what-our-students-are-doing-instead-of-what-theyre-not/2019/12
Hi Corey, I enjoyed reading your blog and the quote you include from the article that highlighting assets is about humanizing classroom practices. I think there is immense pressure on students and teachers to meet certain standards that each students assets and interests are sometimes lost. A small thing I did at the beginning of the year was to have students complete a survey to learn more about their interests, learning style and what they believe their strengths are. This has helped me to tailor my lessons.
ReplyDeleteHi Corey! I loved reading your blog and agree with everything you said. Having an asset-based model in the schools is not only going to help students, but the teachers as well. I know from my own time in school, if a teacher highlighted one of my strengths, it only motivated me more to continue to learn. As a future teacher, I hope to have an asset-based model in my classroom to encourage all of my students.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree that we need to apply the asset based model when teaching. I think a big part of that is changing our language and instead of grouping kids by what they are lacking, group them by interest and ability. I think changing how we speak, can change how we teach!
ReplyDeleteHi Corey! Thanks for sharing. To answer your question, I have found that implementing an asset-based model for students first requires developing an asset-based thought process for ourselves as humans. If we're not actively trying to think about ourselves in this way, how can we ask students to do this? Allowing opportunities for self-insight amongst teachers and students is helpful in easing frustration when learning. As soon as I understood that my brain wasn't oriented to learn from simply reading a text, a weight was lifted off of me. I started to find different ways to learn the same material and not put so much pressure on myself to 'do it like everyone else'
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