Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices

Throughout the last several decades, schools within the United States have seen remarkable demographic transformations with the influx of culturally and linguistically diverse students and families. Unfortunately, our American school systems and the adults that make up these systems are under-prepared to meet the needs of diverse populations. Although teachers have a responsibility to teach all students--regardless of culture or home language--data from New York State Regents exams suggest English language learners and students of color do not experience the same academic success as their White and English-dominant peers. This racial achievement disproportionality indicates a need for significant reform within American school systems. Culturally Responsive Education (CRE) is a pedagogy that seeks to address and reverse this injustice. CRE reflects the need for cultural awareness and inclusion so that all students achieve equally. With a proper understanding of CRE, teachers will be able to infuse instruction with culture, foster a climate of rigorous learning and mutual respect, and transform their thinking to expose biases that prevent certain students from achieving academically.