Culturally Proficient Education : An Asset-Based Response to Conditions of Poverty

"This new application for cultural proficiency is a testament to the educator-student relationship based on respect, understanding, and a common purpose, no matter what the background or culture of the student happens to be. We can′t afford for more students to disengage from education. Thankfully, the authors provide a framework that builds on where we are and that moves us toward a positive, asset-building environment rather than a destructive deficit mind-set." —Kathleen Gavin, Coordinator of Professional Development Great Prairie Area Education Agency, Burlington, IA Develop culturally proficient policies and practices that create opportunities for students of poverty! Written to counter the perspective that students from low-income backgrounds come to school with certain deficits that prevent them from learning, this timely resource provides educators with the knowledge and skills to maximize educational opportunities for all students, independent of students′ socioeconomic status. The authors examine equity and social issues through the lens of cultural proficiency, an approach that emphasizes how educators can break down self-imposed barriers to student success through self-reflection, personal change, and organizational reform. Focusing on students′ strengths, this guide provides: An examination of how poverty intersects with other groupings, such as race, ethnicity, language acquisition, and gender Effective teaching and leadership strategies grounded in the latest research Vignettes and case studies showing the faces of poverty and the barriers they face Reflective activities and self-check protocols that guide readers toward effective practices Culturally Proficient Education helps teachers and school leaders clear the path to success for students of all social and economic backgrounds.