The document summarizes a study on diversity and differentiated instruction in the American education system. The study involved 28 participants, including 6 preservice teachers who were interviewed. Participants learned about ethnography and conducted observations in schools and communities to understand different cultures. Through discussions and reflection papers, participants examined their own cultural beliefs and how their views shifted as they became more informed about other cultures. The study found that teachers who were more informed about cultures were better able to develop diverse teaching styles.

1. ARTICLE CRITIQUE:
By: Sarah Richer
Lenski, Crawford, Crumplet and Stallworth compiled a five-year long study on
diversity and differentiated instruction in the American education system. The
findings were based within the second year of implementation. The purpose of the
study was to find effective methods for future teachers to understand the value of
many cultures and address cultural differences within their classrooms since
research suggests that 90 percent of educators are Caucasian. The study included
twenty-eight participants with a sub group of 6 preservice teachers who were
interviewed. The interviews consisted of three formal and five informal interviews.
Researchers also met bimonthly in order to discuss ongoing perceptions of data.
The participants’ first steps included learning about ethnography and conducting
participation observation in the school and within the surrounding community.
Participants practiced creating descriptive observations and analyzing the data they
compiled. Through repeated discussion and reflection papers, participants
examined their own cultural beliefs and experiences which eventually led to the
development of their own ethnographic paper. Participants were able to connect
with a great understanding to a global world after being involved in numerous
discussions and learning not only about other cultures, but also their own. The
participants views about diversity shifted and data suggested that if teachers were
more informed about cultures, they were able to develop a better plan for
developing a more diverse teaching style.
From the beginning of the paper, the problem of the study is thoroughly indicated
with statistical analysis and relevant research. These additions help to clarify the
significance of the issue and the importance to our education system. The study
examines other research and recognizes that most studies on the topic have not
used observational tools in order to learn about the diverse cultures and
differentiated learning in education. I believe that the ability for participants to
place themselves in authentic environments and gain experience directly connects
to the study’s main purpose and helps the participants to extend their overall
understanding. In my belief, it is this extension of understanding that aids in the
long-term transformation in the participant’s actions.
The data collected is of a qualitative nature and the ability to demonstrate teachers
changing perceptions and developing attitudes is quite subjective. The study itself
contained few participants compared to the actual population of educators and
would have more reliable if completed with educators from different economic,
social and cultural environments. The study that was discussed was based on the
second year of study, which I think was still quite premature in the data collection
stage.
The researchers do not directly speak about their professional backgrounds but I
assume that with their involvement in various universities and with the teaching of

2. the participants that the researchers qualifications coincide with the purpose and
credibility of the overall study.
The findings are transferable to other contexts and settings. The researchers ability
to generalize and create assumptions created results that can be used in many
education systems and even within other work places. As the World Wide Web
grows and technology expands, communication becomes even more globalized
effecting an abundance careers.
At the end of the paper, I am still left wondering if the tools selected appropriately
addressed educators on a whole, if more tools were needed to extend overall
learning on all sides and what the teaching style of the participants would look like
after their involvement? Overall, the study demonstrates a high level of organization
and the procedures demonstrate the transformation of the participants
understanding of diverse cultures illustrated through direct quotations from
participant findings.
REFERENCES:
Lenski, S.D., Crawford, K., Crumpler, T. & Stallworth, C. (2005). Preparing Preservice
Teachers in a Diverse World, Action in Teacher Education, 27(3), pp. 3-12
Manassas, VA.