Culturally responsive teaching is no longer optional. The Census Bureau projects that children of color comprised slightly more than 50% of all students in U.S. public schools in the year 2020, with that number reaching 64% of all students by the year 2060. We must actively build the learning capacity of ALL students if we are to create lifelong learners who are prepared to be strong democratic citizens.
But what is culturally responsive teaching? In nonacademic terms, it’s a way of teaching that acknowledges, accommodates, and celebrates all aspects of all students’ cultural identities, including their:
- Language
- Behavioral norms
- Socioeconomic status
- Ethnicity
- Gender
- Religion
- Learning style
Changing Student Success Conversations
Here are five ways culturally responsive teaching changes the conversation about student success:
- We see parents and families as allies. They are partners in students’ learning. Teachers and school leaders make decisions with parents and families.
- We have high expectations of all students. The try–fail–learn cycle is more important than one test score or grade. Students feel challenged and like they have learned something of value.
- Our instruction is student-centered rather than test-centered, teacher-centered, or school-centered. We design a curriculum that creates personal relevance for students and gives them choice.
- Learning happens within the context of culture. We plan and host ongoing multicultural activities that promote cultural awareness. Teachers and students respect and are connected to one another.
- The teacher is a facilitator rather than the expert. Students bring their own expertise, views, and opinions to class. Students are a part of the teaching-learning cycle.
The definition of student success is changing, and we’d love to continue the conversation. Would you like to take part in group discussions (hosted on Zoom by the Center for Urban Education) about how to implement culturally responsive teaching in your classroom or school? Email us today.
