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Center for Curriculum, Instruction and Technology (CCIT)

Culturally Responsive Teaching

Culturally Responsive Teaching

"[We] can also be complicit in the process of students’ non-success, albeit often unintentionally or because we are unaware of the larger implications and influence of our actions and practices” (Boutte, 2016, p. 1). 

8 Characteristics for Culturally Responsive Teaching
Image source: Muñiz, J. (2020, September 23). Culturally responsive teaching: A reflection guide. New America.

Enrich students' learning experiences by examining concepts from a variety of perspectives using the resources below to help you get started. Educators need to examine the intentional and unintentional learning that occurs in their classrooms, as well as implicit, explicit, and null teachings in their curricula (Joseph et al., 2011). General issues, such as ethical practices that serve learners equitably, ideological considerations regarding knowledge that is worthy of attention, and political issues that require thoughtful knowledge distribution are critical to all learners (Beyer & Apple, 1988). Teaching students to consider the voices that are present in the texts they encounter as they learn, and to seek out the voices missing from those texts, will help students to approach the world with an eye toward social justice. 

Sources:
Beyer, L. E., & Apple, M. W. (1988). Values and politics in the curriculum. In L. E. Beyer & M. W. Apple (Eds.), The curriculum: Problems, politics, and possibilities (pp. 3–17). Albany: State University of New York Press. Retrieved from https://www.sunypress.edu/pdf/53877.pdf

Joseph, P. et. al
.  (2011).  Cultures of Curriculum.  Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. 


Resources on Culturally Responsive Teaching

Learning for Justice: Common Beliefs Survey: Teaching Racially and Ethnically Diverse Students

Description: This is a resource for educators to use to examine their beliefs about diverse students.

NYU: Culturally Responsive ScorecardsImage: Diversity

Description: If you are looking for a tool to use to gauge whether your curriculum is highly responsive to diverse students, this is a wonderful resource from NYU!

New America: Culturally responsive teaching: A reflection guide

Description: This is a terrific resource with a downloadable reflection guide with questions to guide culturally responsive teaching. You will see a gray Download link at the top left side of the window.


Helpful Texts to Learn More about Culturally Responsive Teaching

Adams , M.,  Blumenfeld , W., Castaneda, R., Hackman, H., Peters, M. & Zuniga, X. (Eds.)  (2000).  Readings for Diversity and Social Justice:  An Anthology on Racism, Antisemitism, Sexism, Heterosexism, Ableism, and Classism.  New York, NY:  Routledge.

Boutte, G. S. (2016). Educating African American students: And how are the children? New York, NY: Routledge.

Joseph, P., Bravmann, S., Windschitl, M.,  Mikel, E., & Green, N.  (2011).  Cultures of Curriculum.  Mahwah, NJ:  Lawrence Erlbahm.