Award-winning navel-gazing championed by teachers colleges

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education gave its top journal article award to researchers arguing that “racism is embedded in the fabric of many teacher education programs.”

The article, “Toward a Healthy Racial Climate,” was published in 2022 by two Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) professors of secondary education, Alison G. Dover and Nick Henning. “The article presents a conceptual framework that is designed to help teacher education programs reflect upon and take action to improve their racial climate,” said Dover.

Attempting to distinguish their research from the already voluminous offerings available on the subject, Dover and Henning point out that theirs “is the first article to look specifically at the unique aspects of teacher education.” 

Their research measures the willingness of teachers to agree with the author’s assertions, then declared dissent to be evidence of racism. 

However, the central claim of their study – that racism is systemic among teachers – is “proven” simply by assigning racist intent to nearly every aspect of teaching.  

For example, the duo’s treatment of the apparent overrepresentation of white people in teaching roles – 79% of U.S. public school teachers identify as white, non-Hispanic – disregards any other possible explanations for this disparity.  

Possible factors, like the higher rate of college graduation among white people compared to other races is left wholly unexamined. The effect of family economic status is ignored, as are social and cultural pressures among minority groups that often place lower value on education. 

“Our goal is not to provide prescriptive ‘answers’ regarding the best policies, but instead to invite diverse stakeholders to reflect upon the strengths and areas for growth within their programs,” Dover told the CSUF News. 

The fact that their study framework was vetted by teacher educators, teacher education program directors and deans of education from across the country is concerning indeed.  

The lack of self-awareness is jaw-dropping as the circularity of their arguments form a whirlpool through which rational thought disappears.