PP, SEN, EAL – when we awarded our teacher-assessed grades this summer, did we award them to statistics and acronyms, or to individual learners? Chloe Testa looks at teacher bias and how we can finally begin to close the gaps


Teacher bias – it is a term that raises the hackles of most educators and will often result in some strongly worded responses along the lines of it being an offense to the individual teacher’s professionalism, their years of practice, and their character.

As educators, we have taken an oath (albeit a hidden one – maybe we should have some form of Hippocratic Oath) to expand the minds of all students and ensure that they become the best they can be, not just academically, but emotionally, mentally and socially.

So I understand where this anger towards even the slightest suggestion of bias comes from. But to outright refuse to accept that bias exists within practitioners is to forget one of the biggest things about us – we are human.

Register now, read forever

Thank you for visiting SecEd and reading some of our content for professionals in secondary education. Register now for free to get unlimited access to all content.

What's included:

  • Unlimited access to news, best practice articles and podcast

  • New content and e-bulletins delivered straight to your inbox every Monday and Thursday

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here