Which approach aligns with Standard II j on reducing prejudice?

• A. Teachers stress similarities in values between groups to reduce prejudice.
• B. Teachers emphasize differences to create competition.
• C. Teachers advocate isolation of groups to avoid bias.
• D. Teachers ignore group values to avoid stereotyping.

Answer: (A)

Reducing prejudice is best supported by helping students see what they share across group lines. When a teacher highlights common values—like fairness, respect, cooperation, and caring for others—students start to view members of different groups as part of a larger, shared community. This shared identity reduces the sense of “us vs. them,” lowers perceived threat, and makes bias less likely to arise. Cooperative classroom experiences that require students from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal reinforce this effect, because success depends on all voices and strengths being valued. In contrast, emphasizing differences can fuel competition and segregation, isolation cuts off opportunities for positive contact, and ignoring values leaves biases unexamined. So framing activities around shared values and collective goals aligns with reducing prejudice by building a connected, inclusive classroom climate.