Culturally & Linguistically Responsive and Sustaining Education Actions

PILLAR #2

Essential Actions

2.1 Treat families as partners >

2.2 Elevate students' identities and home language and leverage funds of knowledge >

2.3 Foster inclusive school cultures and classroom environments >

2.4 Integrate critical consciousness around multiple cultures >

Multilingual learners flourish when educators acknowledge that a "one size fits all" approach is inadequate for schools and literacy practices. Optimal strategies involve crafting inclusive, student-centered spaces, empowering students as agents of social change, and selecting instructional materials that both reflect and celebrate diverse cultures and identities.

By understanding and valuing the multitude of cultures and identities within a community, and recognizing individual literacy strengths across various contexts, educators can foster an environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and empowerment in their learning journey.

The Shifts and Practices tool advocates for culturally responsive education, as defined by Zaretta Hammond (Z. Hammond, 2020), to be central to literacy and language instruction for multilingual learners. It aims to enhance the learning capacity of diverse students and foster their independence with challenging materials, aligning with Pillar 2's instructional goals for engaging with grade-level texts. The tool is structured into four sections, outlining key principles to utilize the linguistic and cultural assets of multilingual learners alongside foundational literacy and language development.

It seeks to shift power dynamics, encouraging active participation from students and families, fostering a two-way partnership that values their cultural expertise. The tool promotes inclusive, student-centered environments that empower students as social change agents, offering resources to affirm student identities and reduce learning barriers.

Culturally responsive literacy includes curating libraries with texts that reflect and celebrate diversity, preparing students for societal engagement and social activism. These resources, while not comprehensive, guide educators in creating meaningful learning experiences that honor diverse cultures, particularly in early education where literacy identity begins to form.