Culturally proficient learning communities: confronting inequities through collaborative curiosity

'Cultural proficiency challenges learning communities to go even deeper when inquiring about student barriers to success. This perspective is necessary to truly address the achievement and expectation gaps in our schools. Before we ask ourselves why our students are not succeeding, we must understand and examine our own perceptions and assumptions about them'—Timothy A. Bias, Administrator, Pomona Unified School District, CA Professional learning communities (PLCs) can be a powerful force for creating equitable, inclusive schools where allstudents succeed. Integrating the four Tools of Cultural Proficiency with thePLC framework, this relevant guide offers school leaders, district administrators, and staff developers a collaborative approach to address bias and inequity. Culturally Proficient Learning Communities discusses the impact of our history on cultural understanding and provides a wealth of practical PLC-buildingstrategies—including assessment and inquiry-driven planning, instructional design, curriculum development, coaching, leadership, and shared decision making. The authors examine the goals, purpose, and process of creating and sustaining equity-focused PLCs through: Templates, protocols, activities, and rubrics for deconstructing inequity in student achievement Stories, tools, and thinking prompts to guide an inside-out transformation toward cultural proficiency Anextended example of one school district's journey in becoming a culturally proficient learning community Schools that view diversity and differences as assets and opportunities will experience stronger holistic growth and increased academic achievement! INDICE: Foreword by Shirley Hord / Preface / Acknowledgments / About the Authors / PART ONE: GETTING CENTERED / Getting Centered With the Tools of Cultural Proficiency / Getting Centered With Our History / Getting Centered: The Evolution of Learning Communities / PART TWO: VOICE FROM THE FIELD / Maple View:Sustaining a Culturally Proficient Learning Community / Assessing Cultural Knowledge Through Shared Personal Practice / Valuing Diversity Is a Reflection of Shared Beliefs, Values, and Vision / Managing the Dynamics of Difference Through Collaboration / Adapting to Diversity Through Supportive and Shared Conditions / Institutionalizing Cultural Knowledge Through Collective Learning / PART THREE: CALL TO ACTION: DISTURB THE SYSTEM THROUGH CURIOSITY AND INQUIRY / Aligning Our Behaviors With Our Values / References / Index

• ISBN: 978-1-4129-7227-7
• Editorial: Sage Publications
• Encuadernacion: Cartoné
• Páginas: 168
• Fecha Publicación: 01/10/2009
• Nº Volúmenes: 1
• Idioma: Inglés