As curriculum standardization escalates, the need to teach to student diversity takes on increasing importance. According to Linda Darling-Hammond, we can no longer say, “I taught it and the students didn’t learn it. That would be like saying, The operation was a success, but the patient died.” In an increasingly diverse culture, teachers must not exclude students, accidentally or intentionally, from opportunities to learn. Small schools allow teachers more opportunities to know their students and to communicate respect, fairness, and high expectation for all, regardless of their background. Teachers can take steps to insure equitable classroom participation.
