Teacher Scaffolding and Equity in Collaborative Knowledge Construction

This study examines teacher scaffolding and equity during collaborative small-group discussions in fifth-grade English language arts classrooms. Equity indicators analyzed include uptake, relational invitations, and conflicts for the floor (CFF). CFF indicates lower levels of participatory equity, while the others indicate higher relational equity. Three types of teacher scaffolding moves were included, and data were analyzed using statistical discourse analysis and repeated measures logistic regression. Teacher scaffolding was either negatively or not related to all equity indicators. Specifically, teacher scaffolding is associated with reduced indicators of relational equity, but also with reductions in CFF. The relationship with relational equity was stronger and more consistent than the relationship with CFF, suggesting that teachers’ largest influence on equity is on relational, rather than participatory, equity.