This entry contains an academic definition from the Encyclopedia of Educational Psychology of the cultural deficit model, written by Neil Salkind. While the idea of this website is often referred to as the deficit model for simplicity, this entry demonstrates why the culture piece is important and why this website is constructed around that position. This resource is unmasking the deficit model by highlighting how the dominant group is the one issuing the labels of deficiency. It is also explores the ways in which these perceptions of deficiency can have a negative impact on the social and psychological wellness of students. Click here for direct access to this document.
This entry contains an article written by Paul Gorski that is entitled, Unlearning Deficit Ideology and the Scornful Gaze: Thoughts on Authenticating the Class Discourse in Education. This entry demonstrates the political and ideological realities of the social and educational activism we must take on if we are committed to combatting the deficit model. This resource is unmasking the deficit model by bringing the readers attention to the truths of tough discourse. The deficit model that is a perpetuation of racism has layers and we will be targeted ourselves, but in order to break the hegemonic culture, we must tackle and respond to the labels of deficiency with an understanding of ourselves as individuals who have also contributed to the perpetuation. Click here for direct access to this document.
This entry contains an academic article by Beth Harry and Janette Klingner that is entitled Discarding the Deficit Model. This particular article discusses the disproportionate amount of students of color placed in special education classes or program. This entry demonstrates the ways in which the deficit model is so deeply entrenched in our education system that tracking students has been deemed normalized. It also illustrates the fact that race and racism are factors in education. Multiple questions arise from this piece. Why are disproportionate amounts of students of color in special education? What are assumption teachers have of “low-achieving” or at risk students? This resource is unmasking the cultural deficit model by highlighting the ways in which educators focus on the “deficiencies” of students and simultaneously attributed such deficits to culture and race. It offers a unique lens into how deficit thinking is impacting poor students of color with real or perceived disabilities. Click here.
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