Culturally Responsive and Inclusive Education in English and Special Education Classrooms 

• Teachers should be able to help students develop academically, support all cultures, encourage cultural competence, and develop sociopolitical consciousness

• It's important to access insights and practices of other teachers

• Teachers should never negate the home cultures, languages, or dialects of any student

  • Students should be taught how to succeed in the academic world, while maintaining their own sense of self

• It matters how teachers think of themselves in relation to their students

• Many schools feature generalized pedagogies, but teachers should focus on what will benefit each individual

• ELA teachers should teach in culturally relevant ways, as well as be able to create opportunities for all identities

• Linguistically responsive teaching includes: understanding and appreciating linguistic diversity, developing language awareness, and understanding the social challenges of language differences

• Teachers should continuously reflect on the implementation of cultural relevance in their classes

• Students should be taught to reflect on KSE (what you Know, what you See, and what you've Experienced)

• Teachers should capitalize on technology and supports

• Teachers should collaborate with each other to incorporate various perspective into planning

Classroom Implementation

• It's important to emphasize the strengths of students of color

  • Recognize what each student brings to the classroom

• Teachers should view students who speak multiple languages as assets, rather than deficits

• Culturally responsive teachers should be able to:

  • Reflect on their own cultural perspective

  • Recognize and remedy the biases within the system

  • Consider students' cultures when creating curriculum and lesson plans

  • Discuss real-world problems within the classroom

  • Model high expectations for all students

  • Respect students' differences and encourage students to do the same

  • Collaborate with families and communities

Classroom Implementation

• Varied learning opportunities affects the relationships between students and teachers

• It's important to discuss, reflect on, and respond to all students' work 

• Community has a significant impact on students' lives and cultures

  • Incorporate community engagement into teaching

  • Help students develop their civic identities

• Teachers must advocate for their students' worth

  • Values as a human cannot be summarized by a single assignment, exam, or standardized test

• Teachers must be inclusive and encourage students to see all perspectives

• Teachers must remember that all students are capable and independent thinkers

• Students will not fully engage with an adult unless they have a relationship

Classroom Implementation

• Teachers must learn about culture and diversity (Culturally Responsive Practices)

• Schools must be cautious and deliberate about placements into special education

  • There is overrepresentation of certain minority groups

  • There are racial disparities within tracking and identification of students

  • Special education is often used as a way to segregate students from CLD backgrounds

• Culturally Responsive teaching includes:

  • Encouraging family involvement and engagement

  • Fair and appropriate classroom management and discipline

  • Transition services

• Both general and special education teachers must acknowledge how culture affects education and should:

  • Foster growth of cultural knowledge

  • Analyze the way special education is used to work with diversity

  • Acknowledge the importance of supports for students from CLD backgrounds

  • Respect the relationships that students from CLD background have with each family member

Classroom Implementation

• It's important for teachers to establish inclusion develop a positive and favorable attitude towards teaching, enhance meaning through challenging learning experiences, and recognize all students' competence

• Teachers should use students' background knowledge in class discussions

  • Emphasize diversity and students' backgrounds/experiences

• It's important for all students to feel capable, respected, accepted, and connected to one another

Classroom Implementation