Cultural Classism Case Study

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2. What historical insights did I gain to better understand cultural classism?
Within this chapter they talked about poorhouses. This was a good historical insight to classism. In the early 1800s, instructions were promoted as a solution to social problems; poorhouses for the poor. These institutions were supposed to require minimal tax dollars from state and local governments (p.209). These institutions were designed to teach and support the poor. Although the main idea is great, I don’t believe the poorhouses were the best situation. This helped me to understand that this has been an issue for a long time. We have many students who “slip through the cracks”. They are too low for the general education class, but too high to receive …show more content…

309). Three generalizations regarding cultural ableism that prevails in our schools are subhuman organism, menace to society, and diseased organism. First subhuman organism, the perception is for those labeled mentally retarded. As late as the nineteenth century, these students were housed in rooms not heated in winter or cooled in summer because it was assumed that they were not sensitive to heat or cold. Once we humanize a group to subhuman status, there are few limitations that can be done (p.291). Next is declaring disabled individuals as a menace to society. This perception regards people with disabilities as evil. They are often referred to monsters or individuals who are out to do harm. This causes them to be sheltered in schools (p. 291-292). Lastly is diseased organism. This perception views a person’s physical or mental disability as a temporary condition that can be cured by chemical or treatments. There are not cures for these issues and often things they do within in school are not in their control. They simply have a disability that will follow them their whole lives (p. …show more content…

What do I know now about leading a school to meet the needs of all cultural groups that I didn’t know prior to reading these chapters?
In 1973, Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) went into effect. This allowed people of all abilities to receive a public education. I have always been passionate about teaching students with special needs. Within chapter twelve I read how to change the attitude of those who do not believe in allowing these students within schools. I believe that it exposes everyone to different ways of life. Although I had studied the information within in this chapter during my undergrad and graduate courses, I enjoyed the refresher of the legal sides and history. Within chapter nine, I learned things that I didn’t before. Of course I knew that social status affected students within classrooms, I wasn’t sure how to help. Within this chapter it gave me the history of classism, why it’s difficult to find a job, the response of poor people’s needs, how the federal government helps, and what it means for students in school facing issues. I enjoyed reading about the history of classism. I think that every child should be taught and have the opportunity to grow. Unfortunately, society looks so much at how much money we have. I believe that if we can come together to offer more things to help the students within our schools the more successful of a community we would

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