Why Are We Missing The Mark?
The truth is, many educators unintentionally fail at inclusive education. It’s not because they don’t care, but because traditional curriculum design often leaves diverse perspectives out of the conversation. The good news? There are simple, actionable strategies to make learning more inclusive for every student.
The Representation Gap
Studies show that 83% of characters in classroom reading materials come from dominant cultural backgrounds. In history lessons, a single narrative often takes center stage, leaving out the voices of marginalized communities. According to The Cooperative Children’s Book Center, School of Education at The University Of Wisconsin Madison, in 2018, the second group of characters in children’s literature at 27% were animals or other objects, next were 10% of African, and African American Characters with 7%percent Asian Pacific Islanders featured in text with an alarming 5% of Latinx characters and 1% of Indigenous characters in text.
Lack of representation directly impacts learning outcomes. Research finds that students who see their cultures reflected in curriculum materials score, on average, 15% higher in engagement and retention. When students feel seen, they feel valued. And when they feel valued, they learn better.
Want to know if your lesson plan is inclusive? Ask yourself:
- Whose voices are centered?
- Whose perspectives are missing?
- Whose accomplishments are highlighted?
Five Ways to Make Your Teaching More Inclusive
Here are five practical ways to incorporate diverse perspectives into your lessons:
- The Source Audit – For every unit, expand your source materials. If you’re teaching about climate change, include Indigenous ecological knowledge alongside Western scientific studies.
- Multiple Narratives Approach – When covering historical events, include first-person accounts from different cultural perspectives.
- Diverse Authors Initiative – Rotate your reading lists to feature authors from a variety of backgrounds.
- Representation in Visuals – Display posters, artwork, and classroom decor that reflect different cultures, languages, and identities.
- Student Voice Matters – Allow students to bring their own cultural knowledge into assignments, discussions, and projects.
Inclusive education isn’t just about adding diverse books to your classroom. It’s about making a fundamental shift in how we teach, ensuring that every student feels represented and empowered to learn.
Want a free lesson planning template to help you implement these strategies? Download it here
