Problem: With deficit thinking, our education system tends to focus on what students "lack" and how we can "fix them" based on dominant culture ideas and standards for success. Discuss an alternative approach to helping students succeed which would be more effective and equitable than deficit thinking. Make sure you explain why your alternative approach is more effective than the deficit thinking model (for instance--how does it recognize student diversity, how does it eliminate stereotyping of students, how is it more inclusive of student strengths and abilities).