Teach Out Project Article Summary: Sleeter, Armstrong & Wildman

 Sleeter Article Summary

Christine Sleeter’s article highlights a crucial point that many people overlook that most school textbooks still present history primarily from a white perspective. There are mentions of other groups like Black, Latino, Native, and Asian Americans. But those stories are often short or added on. The main story still centers on white people. Sleeter explains that this makes many students of color feel left out, like school isn’t really for them. She provides examples of students who became more interested in school once they took classes, such as ethnic studies, that focused on their own cultures and histories. When students see themselves in what they’re learning, they often do better in school.

This article shows that ethnic studies isn’t just about being more “inclusive." It’s about telling the full truth. It’s about making sure all students feel seen and heard. For many students of color, it can make a big difference in how they feel about school and learning.

Armstrong & Wildman Article Summary
The article by Armstrong and Wildman helps explain how racism and privilege still show up in schools, even when no one is trying to be unfair. They talk about how white culture is often treated as the normal way of thinking or doing things. This affects who feels like they belong, who gets listened to, and who is seen as trouble. The authors say that to make schools truly fair, we have to look at how the system works, not just at individual actions. A lot of unfair treatment comes from rules and habits that seem normal but actually favor some students over others.

What’s important about this article is that it helps us understand that treating everyone the same isn’t always fair. We have to notice whose voices are being centered and whose are being left out. If we want all students to feel welcome and respected, we need to make room for different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of seeing the world.

Why These Two Articles
I chose these two articles for my teach-out project because they both show how schools can either include or ignore students’ real lives and identities. Sleeter explains how ethnic studies helps students, especially students of color, feel seen and supported by showing their histories and cultures in the classroom. Armstrong and Wildman go deeper into how whiteness is often treated as the normal standard in schools, which leaves many students feeling left out. Together, these pieces help explain why changing what we teach and how we teach it is so important if we want all students to feel like they belong and can succeed.