Courageous Conversations About Race
Do you want to learn tools that will help you become more racially aware?
Courageous Conversations About Race is a field guide for achieving equity in schools. The topic is as important, or even more important now than ever before. One of the best things about this book is that it is written to help people - teachers, administrators, parents, community leaders, and even university professors - begin to engage in emotionally difficult conversations about race. If you are looking for a bit of confidence and even permission to ask the tough questions about racial equity in schools, this is the book study for you.
This course satisfies the WA State requirement for equity hours.
Required Reading: Courageous Conversations About Race - Second Edition, written by Glenn E. Singleton
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1) Purchase and read Courageous Conversations About Race, - Second Edition, written by Glenn E. Singleton. You can find this book at amazon.com or your favorite bookstore.
2) Write complete answers to all of the questions on the Book Study Handout. The handout is provided to you after registration is completed.
3) For educators seeking clock hours or professional development hours: In addition to Assignments 1 and 2 above...
Choose one of the following four assignments:
- For the purposes of better understanding and personalizing the Courageous Conversation Compass found on page 29 of the book, consider the following topics: Affirmative Action, Bilingual Education, O.J. Simpson Trial and Indian Gaming. As you consider each of the topics, think about their significance and connect them to your own personal experiences. Then for each topic, decide where you locate yourself on the compass? Write a 2-3 page paper in which you reflect on how your personal experiences influenced where you located yourself on the compass for each topic.
- Reflect on the Four Agreements of Courageous Conversation. Then, write a 2-3 page paper reflecting on which agreement will be the easiest for you to implement and which will be the hardest. Be sure to tell why.
- Read about Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District beginning on page 24 of the book. Write a 2-3 page paper reflecting on what achievement similarities and differences exist between that district and your own school system. In which ways could your system benefit from similar equity efforts?
- Considering the definitions of racism and institutionalized racism found on page 53 of the book, write a 2-3 page paper reflecting on where you notice these phenomena most obviously existing in your school system. What do you consider to be the next important steps toward achieving equity?
Paper should be typed, double spaced using a 10-12 pt. font.
Effective July 1, 2024:
For educators seeking college credit rather than clock hours, here is the modified requirement: In addition to Assignments 1 and 2 above...
3) Choose 3 of the following four assignments:
- For the purposes of better understanding and personalizing the Courageous Conversation Compass found on page 29 of the book, consider the following topics: Affirmative Action, Bilingual Education, O.J. Simpson Trial and Indian Gaming. As you consider each of the topics, think about their significance and connect them to your own personal experiences. Then for each topic, decide where you locate yourself on the compass? Write a 2-3 page paper in which you reflect on how your personal experiences influenced where you located yourself on the compass for each topic.
- Reflect on the Four Agreements of Courageous Conversation. Then, write a 2-3 page paper reflecting on which agreement will be the easiest for you to implement and which will be the hardest. Be sure to tell why.
- Read about Chapel Hill-Carrboro City School District beginning on page 24 of the book. Write a 2-3 page paper reflecting on what achievement similarities and differences exist between that district and your own school system. In which ways could your system benefit from similar equity efforts?
- Considering the definitions of racism and institutionalized racism found on page 53 of the book, write a 2-3 page paper reflecting on where you notice these phenomena most obviously existing in your school system. What do you consider to be the next important steps toward achieving equity?
Your paper should be at least 6 pages in length (2-3 pages for each of the 3 assignments that you choose from the bullet points above). Paper should be typed, double spaced using a 10-12 pt. font.
All 3 assignments must be completed within 1 year. Upload completed handout and paper to website or email all completed assignments and paperwork to lorie@teacherstudy.org.
SPU NOTE: Please be sure to register prior to completing any coursework. Registering for a course after coursework has been started violates accreditation standards and puts the University at risk; therefore, SPU reserves the right to not award credit if students are found to be in violation of this policy. SPU coursework will be accepted a minimum of 2 weeks beyond registration date.
Grading Criteria for Courageous Conversations About Race
1) All (3) assignments must be completed within (1) year. Upload assignments to your Teacher Study Dashboard or email all completed assignments and paperwork to lorie@teacherstudy.org .
2) The rubric for the Book Study Handout is broken down into (3) goal areas.
The first goal area pertains to questions #1-32 on the handout. You will simply need to answer these questions and earn a “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” according to the rubric.
The second goal area pertains to questions #32-52 on the handout. You will simply need to answer these questions and earn a “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” according to the rubric.
The third goal area pertains to questions #53-61 on the handout. You will simply need to answer these questions and earn a “1”, “2”, “3”, or “4” according to the rubric.
The maximum number of combined points that can be earned is 16 (12 points for the answers to the questions on the handout and 4 points for the reflection paper).
3) The rubric for Courageous Conversations About Race Reflection Paper explains how to earn a “1”, “2”, “3” or “4”.
“A” grade = 14-16 points
“B” grade = 13 points
“C” grade = 11-12 points
“D” grade = 10 points
“F” grade = 9 points or less
A “NC” (no credit) grade will be given if all three assignments are not completed within one year.
Pass/No Pass Grading System (for clock hours or continuing education credits)
Pass = 11-16 points
No Pass = Less than 11 points
A “NC” (no credit) grade will be given if all three (3) assignments are not completed within (1) year.
Clock Hours and Continuing Education Unit Options for Washington State Educators:
Washington State Educators have the option of earning 30 Clock Hours for an additional $3 per clock hour fee ($90). Clock hours are offered through the following OSPI approved organizations:
ESD 112 Clock Hours: Once you complete the course, you will be directed to the ESD PdEnroller online system to easily claim your clock hours.
Gonzaga University: Once you complete the course, Gonzaga Center for Lifelong Learning will provide you with instructions on how to pay your $90 clock hour fee and quickly claim your clock hours.
Graduate Credit Options:
Seattle Pacific University: Earn 3 graduate level quarter credits. Additional $180 fee, payable to SPU. You must register with SPU first to earn graduate credit.
All Other PDUs, CEUs, CPEs and other known terms for Clock Hours:
30 Clock Hours for professional development are available for those outside of WA State. Other known terms include, but are not limited to, Professional Development Hours, Professional Development Points, CEU's, CPE's, PDU's or your school district's equivalent language for clock hours earned. A Certificate of Completion will be provided to all students once coursework is reviewed and graded.
Be sure to check with your state's agency regarding professional development and related requirements.
Online book studies that have not been accessed are refundable within 5 days of purchase date. No refund will be issued on any assignment that has been accessed, viewed, or partially completed. Online training courses may not be transferred to another student.
SPU refunds per SPU policy. Please visit their website for more information.