Prejudice Reduction Workshops

Overview

The Prejudice Reduction Workshops are a series of 13 lessons that build respect for human difference among K-12 students.

These fun, interactive programs closely align with the aims and goals of Rochester Public Schools.

Program Design

Prejudice Reduction Workshops are a partnership between the school district and the community. In our innovative model, trained community members representing the diversity of Olmsted County present workshops for every grade level at every school once a year. 2007-2008 Schedule of School Presentations

As students progress through their education, they begin with basic concepts such as 'same & different' and move to challenging discussions of discrimination and respect in areas such as disability, race, body size, social class, gender and sexual orientation, and religion. Curriculum Overview

Objectives

Current research describes what has to happen among children in order to create long-term behavioral change and reduce prejudice and discrimination.

The short-term outcomes of increasing knowledge, empathy, critical thinking skills, and self-esteem are linked to the long-term objectives of improving inter-group relations and reducing prejudice and discrimination. Our curriculum is designed to meet the four immediate objectives linked to reducing prejudice. Our goal is that students will:

Gain knowledge

• Understand and value human differences and similarities.
• Understand the unfairness of discrimination and the harm it causes.

Develop empathy

• Learn to accept others who are perceived as different.
• Gain ability to interact respectfully with ALL people.

Develop thinking skills

• Understand own biases as well as those of others.
• Identify and challenge common fallacies.

Improve self-esteem

• Build positive regard for self and group identity.

Facilitators

The Diversity Council currently has about 60 community members facilitating Prejudice Reduction Workshops. Over half of our facilitators identify themselves as a minority with regard to ethnic identity, religion, disability, or other factor.

All facilitators receive 30 hours of training plus observation and practice hours before being certified to offer Prejudice Reduction Workshops.

Facilitator training is offered twice a year in the spring and fall. If you are interested in joining the team, fill out an application or call for more information: 507-282-9951.

Evaluation

Prejudice Reduction Workshops undergo rigorous evaluation each year. After every workshop, teachers evaluate the curriculum for developmental appropriateness, how successfully it gets students involved, and how well it meets our objectives. Teachers also evaluate our facilitators on their skill in delivering the curriculum.

Teacher evaluations are supplemented by facilitator evaluations of each workshop.

The Diversity Council also partners with the school district to test a sample of students each year to determine what they are learning and remembering from the workshops.

The evaluation data is used each year to continually improve our curriculum.

PRW Evaluation Summary for 2006-2007

Licensing

The Prejudice Reduction Workshop is available for licensing by school districts and community organizations. Details and pricing

Teacher Response to Prejudice Reduction Workshops

In the course of the last three years as classes have moved through, now all students have had an opportunity to benefit from this curriculum. In my estimation this has drastically reduced the number of incidents of harassment, racism, and fighting within our building. It used to be weekly that I would get a report of such behavior, now it is less than once every several months!!

The video was great! It opened a lot of eyes (mine included!) Information presented was relevant and pertinent to this grade level. Great job!
Fourth grade teacher

This is a very powerful curriculum, especially to 5th graders as they are getting ready to move to middle school with a wide variety of students. Thank you.
Fifth grade teacher

It was good to have a facilitator who was "different" enough in culture to be noticeable. I'd like to see more people of other cultures in our classrooms.
Third grade teacher

Please never stop getting the message out to kids in Rochester, many of whom never feel the kinds of prejudice others do on a daily basis. I thank you and applaud your efforts.
Fifth grade teacher

I thought the presentation did a good job of making diversity personal to the students by using Rochester/Olmsted County information.

Sixth grade teacher

As a teacher I’m not afraid to dive in and work with kids on diversity issues.  Before I probably would have avoided discussing it. The Diversity Council has given me tools to use, and the courage to use it.  AND they give the kids a process to use. 

What a fabulous experience for all kids! The change in curriculum was very much appreciated… is developmentally appropriate and interesting to a 7 or 8 year old child. Overall—wonderful experience!

Second grade teacher

1130 1/2 7th St NW, Suite 204 , Rochester, MN 55901 · Tel: 507.282.9951 · Fax: 507.282.9964 · info@diversitycouncil.org

Diversity...It's all about respect.