"This book is about the American Educational Dream and how all educators can be successful with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. Written by three Latina superintendents who have achieved great success as leaders of culturally and linguistically-diverse districts, the book provides a unique vision for transforming schools into places of equity and excellence. The authors use the lens of Cultural Proficiency to facilitate an understanding of both the barriers to educational opportunity as well the conditions that help to promote the success of underserved groups. Their lessons for being successful in diverse communities are a source of inspiration to all educators who aspire to extend the promises of democracy to every public school student"-- Provided by publisher.
"This is a book I didn′t know I needed until I read it. But now that I have read it, I will read it again and again with my leadership team. The authors have provided some powerful lessons about transformative leadership through personal stories that are moving, compelling and captivating." —Sarah Jerome, Superintendent Arlington Heights School District 25, IL "The authors serve as wonderful role models for young women of color, who will enjoy reading about where the authors come from and how far they have gone. Their insightful stories will contribute to the development of more female leaders in our country." —Daniel Domenech, Executive Director American Association of School Administrators "Franco, Ott and Robles share three compelling stories that answer both the why and how questions concerning the urgent need for culturally proficient learning experiences for every American student." —Robert Hill, Director of Education Initiatives The Ball Foundation Three successful superintendents share how to educate all students Extending democracy into schools so that every child has the opportunity to achieve is the topic of many books and conversations. The three Latina superintendents who coauthored this book do more than discuss the issue of equity in education—they live it. They grew up affected by it, taught students who needed it, and changed the minds of those who resisted it. These trailblazing women chronicle their childhoods, careers, and challenges and share their vision to transform schools into places of equity and excellence. They use the lens of cultural proficiency to enhance readers′ understanding of: Barriers to educational opportunity and equity Conditions that help promote success for underserved students Ways to leverage culture as an asset Links between high-quality education for some and excellence for all learners A Culturally Proficient Society Begins in School is filled with reflective prompts, self-check protocols, and other tools for deep and meaningful professional learning. Not only do these remarkable women serve as role models for students from all cultures, their success stories are a source of inspiration to all educators who aspire to extend the promises of democracy to every North American student.
This powerful third edition offers fresh approaches that enable school leaders to engage in effective interactions with students, educators, and the communities they serve.
Becoming a culturally proficient leader requires the kind of courage, clarity, and insight that can only come from looking inward first. It’s a personal learning journey of will and skill, and if you’re up to the challenge, one that will change how you see your school, your students, and yourself as you build your own cultural competence. Consider this second edition of Culturally Proficient Leadershipyour personal road map for navigating that journey. Each chapter of Culturally Proficient Leadership invites you to put your experiences up front and challenges you to reframe your story based on multiple viewpoints—now, notably, with the addition of new coauthors Delores Lindsey and Eloise Kemp Terrell, who have their own remarkable stories and insight to share. Overall, all four authors will help you answer the critical question “Is what we say what we do?” utilizing the tools of Cultural Proficiency to engage in Reflections and Cultural Interviews to explore what you learn about those who are culturally different from you develop a Cultural Autobiography to provide a picture of the cultural memberships that have influenced who you are as a person use the Cultural Proficiency Continuum to examine your progress as a leader in serving your students and communities prepare an intentional Leadership Plan that summarizes your journey from Cultural Precompetence to Cultural Proficiency The central “inside-out” premise of Cultural Proficiency is that engaging in deep introspection around one’s personal beliefs, values, and behaviors in response to human differences is the first step toward systemic educational reform. We invite you to embark on this journey of self-awareness, of moral courage, and of the life-affirming power of human diversity. “I believe deeply that we cannot solve the challenges of our time unless we solve them together—unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and may not come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction: toward a better future for our children and our grandchildren.” —Barack Obama, Los Angeles Times, 2008
A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection
Are you doing all you can to improve teaching and learning? Culturally proficient instruction is the result of an inside-out journey of teaching and learning during which you explore your values and behaviors while evaluating the policies and practices of your workplace. The journey deepens your understanding of yourself and your community of practice. In the newest version of their best-selling book, the authors invite you to reflect on how you engage with your students and your colleagues as a community of learners. The third edition features a case study to show cultural proficiency in practice and: An updated discussion of standards-based education guidelines A conceptual framework for the tools of cultural proficiency New language for understanding the microaggressions of dominant cultures An integrated guide for use with study groups Each chapter contains reflective activities and group work conducive to collaborative professional development. Culturally Proficient Instruction is invaluable for anyone dedicated to creating an environment in which all learners can succeed.
Three successful superintendents share how to educate all students The three Latina superintendents who coauthored this book go beyond discussing the issue of equity in education—they live it. These trailblazing women chronicle their childhoods, careers, and challenges and share their vision to transform schools into places of equity and excellence. Through the lens of cultural proficiency, their stories enhance readers’ understanding of: Barriers to educational opportunity and equity Conditions that help promote success for underserved students Ways to leverage culture as an asset Links between high-quality education for some and excellence for all learners
Culturally Responsive School Leadership focuses on how school leaders can effectively serve minoritized students—those who have been historically marginalized in school and society. The book demonstrates how leaders can engage students, parents, teachers, and communities in ways that positively impact learning by honoring indigenous heritages and local cultural practices. Muhammad Khalifa explores three basic premises. First, that a full-fledged and nuanced understanding of “cultural responsiveness” is essential to successful school leadership. Second, that cultural responsiveness will not flourish and succeed in schools without sustained efforts by school leaders to define and promote it. Finally, that culturally responsive school leadership comprises a number of crucial leadership behaviors, which include critical self-reflection; the development of culturally responsive teachers; the promotion of inclusive, anti-oppressive school environments; and engagement with students’ indigenous community contexts. Based on an ethnography of a school principal who exemplifies the practices and behaviors of culturally responsive school leadership, the book provides educators with pedagogy and strategies for immediate implementation.
The groundbreaking guide to cultural proficiency in schools, updated to meet today’s challenges The first edition of The Culturally Proficient School opened new dialogue about diversity and cultural dignity that had an immediate impact on educators, becoming the go-to resource for ideas about how to serve all students equitably. This second edition incorporates reader feedback and up-to-date research on closing access and achievement gaps, delivering a guide to cultural proficiency that is more relevant, accessible and effective than ever. New content includes: • Instructive vignettes that reflect contemporary truths about educational diversity and moral leadership • Emphasis on skills development, including the art and science of conversation • A conceptual framework that makes clear the first steps to take towards a more culturally proficient school The face of educational diversity is changing. Now more than ever, this book is the key to mastering the challenges and opportunities it presents. "In The Culturally Proficient School, the authors take the reader on a journey of personal reflection and capacity building. This authentic examination of our assumptions and practices creates a necessary, healthy tension to move from simply learning to changing our practices in schools. In a nutshell, an educational leader can take this book and create a learning community that aligns the work of adults around a commitment to creating a culturally proficient school that benefits each student." — Jeff Ronneberg, Superintendent Spring Lake Park Schools, MN
Navigate barriers and take actional steps toward equity The principles of Cultural Proficiency have guided our drive toward equitable schools for decades. Leaders who apply this framework to scrutinize the beliefs and practices that have caused disproportionate harm to children of color and other marginalized students are frequently left with the question: "Now What?" Using their unique insights and life experiences as Latina superintendents, the authors of Now What? Confronting Uncomfortable Truths About Inequity in Schools present a guide to navigating barriers, managing differences, and creating an actionable equity plan. Readers will find: a "What Next" guide for leaders at all levels to leverage Cultural Proficiency a Culturally Proficient Leadership Rubric for promoting growth an 8-Step Process to help educators gauge status and progress of their equity plan a discussion of the impact of COVID-19 on educational transformation, as well as heightened awareness of injustice, including the Black Lives Matter movement and mistreatment of immigrant children and families Cultural Proficiency begins with us. By focusing on our beliefs and biases, and taking actionable steps, we can become more proficient at eliminating barriers.
