Why Culturally Responsive Teaching is more important than ever
Our achievement and opportunity gaps must be addressed. Recent statistics from the Virginia Department of Education show that our students of color and low-income students are performing at a lower level on Standards of Learning Assessments than similar demographic groups in the state of Virginia. Wide disparities exist in student race and income levels for those recommended and retained in Honors/Advanced classes in our Middle and High Schools. Marginalized membership groups are disproportionately identified for Special Education, while under-identified for gifted services. African-American and Latino students are suspended, expelled, and drop out at a rate five times higher than other students.
Culturally responsive pedagogy for ACPS is designed to broaden our skills for educating to and through the background and experiences of all of our students to decrease knowledge-based and motivation-driven gaps. Culturally Responsive Educators strive to engage students fully through relevant teaching and assessment. It includes educator self-reflection that increases awareness of implicit bias and microaggressions, subtle forms of discrimination that are perceived by students of color and hinder achievement.
What it means to be Certified in Culturally Responsive Teaching
To be certified in Culturally Responsive Teaching means that our educators and educational leaders will have a foundational theory and research - as well as proven, practical strategies to enhance instruction for all learners.
Our Certification process begins for each applicant with a three-session workshop series presented by diversity leaders in the division. During these workshops, participants reflect on their own ability to move diverse learners through relevance and rigor, and gain valuable tools to engage diverse learners and their families. All potential applicants evaluate how their own teaching fits into the three characteristics of culturally responsive teaching. Successful applicants are able to produce evidence that culturally responsive teaching has an impact on the student achievement in their classrooms.
If you would like to learn more about or pursue CRT Certification, please email Leilani Keys at [email protected].
Our achievement and opportunity gaps must be addressed. Recent statistics from the Virginia Department of Education show that our students of color and low-income students are performing at a lower level on Standards of Learning Assessments than similar demographic groups in the state of Virginia. Wide disparities exist in student race and income levels for those recommended and retained in Honors/Advanced classes in our Middle and High Schools. Marginalized membership groups are disproportionately identified for Special Education, while under-identified for gifted services. African-American and Latino students are suspended, expelled, and drop out at a rate five times higher than other students.
Culturally responsive pedagogy for ACPS is designed to broaden our skills for educating to and through the background and experiences of all of our students to decrease knowledge-based and motivation-driven gaps. Culturally Responsive Educators strive to engage students fully through relevant teaching and assessment. It includes educator self-reflection that increases awareness of implicit bias and microaggressions, subtle forms of discrimination that are perceived by students of color and hinder achievement.
What it means to be Certified in Culturally Responsive Teaching
To be certified in Culturally Responsive Teaching means that our educators and educational leaders will have a foundational theory and research - as well as proven, practical strategies to enhance instruction for all learners.
Our Certification process begins for each applicant with a three-session workshop series presented by diversity leaders in the division. During these workshops, participants reflect on their own ability to move diverse learners through relevance and rigor, and gain valuable tools to engage diverse learners and their families. All potential applicants evaluate how their own teaching fits into the three characteristics of culturally responsive teaching. Successful applicants are able to produce evidence that culturally responsive teaching has an impact on the student achievement in their classrooms.
If you would like to learn more about or pursue CRT Certification, please email Leilani Keys at [email protected].