CRP development services are tailored to meet the needs and context of individual schools, networks, and/or districts.
Culturally responsive (or relevant) teaching is “a pedagogy that empowers students intellectually, socially, emotionally, and politically by using cultural referents to impart knowledge, skills, and attitudes” (Ladson-Billings, 1994, p. 382). Teachers, within a CRP framework, make standards-based content and curricula accessible to students and teach in a way that students can understand and relate to. To do this, teachers must incorporate relatable aspects of students’ daily/cultural lives into the curriculum, while keeping the curriculum standards-based and rigorous. Such familiar aspects include language (which may include jargon or slang), prior knowledge, and extracurricular interests such as music and sports. One aspect of CRP focuses on student comfort with how a teacher talks and discusses academic material, which will allow students to focus and try to learn the content. Our work with teachers, leaders, schools, networks, and districts includes development and coaching within the following areas related to a CRP framework:
Improving Schools Inc is a national non-profit educational services provider focused on improving outcomes for all students.