By: Alexis Gomez
Every teacher’s goal is to facilitate a respectful environment in which their students can learn from and support one another. Teachers know that every student comes from their own unique background and experiences that shape the way that student perceives the world and others. While these differences should be celebrated to encourage everyone to be respectful and open-minded, oftentimes, these differences can manifest in students adopting an ‘us versus them’ mindset. It’s important to note that students today are growing up in a time where polarization has dramatically increased. Society has honed in on what separates us rather than what unites us, and it’s no surprise that negative sentiments can rub off on younger generations.
However, there is a way to measure students’ interconnectedness and encourage attitudes that promote inclusion. Teachers can use the Dignity Index, a measure created by the nonprofit organization, UNITE. The Dignity Index is an eight-point scale for measuring how we talk to each other when we disagree. The Index was publicly launched in Utah during the 2022 mid-term elections with the purpose of scoring political speeches along a continuum from contempt (1 – the lowest score) to dignity (8 – the highest score). But this tool can also be used to gauge students’ attitudes toward each other in the classroom or at school in general. Applying the Dignity Index in educational environments could look like this:
8 – Dignity: Each one of my classmates is born with inherent worth. I treat other students with dignity – no matter what.
7 – Connectedness: I fully engage with other students and discuss their values and interests, even if I don’t share them. I like to know where my classmates are coming from, and I remain open-minded.
6 – Curiosity: I talk to classmates who are different from me. I try to find values and interests that we share.
5 – Respect: Other classmates who are different from me have a right to be here and a right to be heard. It’s their school/class too.
4 – Dismissiveness: I’m better than those other students. I don’t really like them or trust them.
3 – Disdain: I’m part of the good students and they’re part of the bad students. It’s us versus them.
2 – Disgust: Those students are horrible and they’re ruining this school/class. It’s us or them.
1 – Contempt: I hate those students. They shouldn’t be here. We should hurt them before they hurt us.
Lower scores among students (1-4) indicate levels of contempt and division that should be addressed. Higher scores (5-8) indicate levels of dignity and unity to be further encouraged. Consider having your class complete the Dignity Index a few times throughout the school year. Doing so can help monitor the classroom environment, track improvements in attitudes, and allow you to strategize ways to encourage students to be united and treat each other with dignity.