Cultural Proficiency to close Achievement Gap

I recently read an article on the importance of cultural proficiency to close the achievement gap. This study focused on teachers perceptions of cultural proficiency of themselves and the schools they serve. It analyzed the current cultural practices, beliefs and values of teachers, cross referenced with the perceptions of students. It used theory to examine the social context of schools and analyzed how culture is intertwined and correlates with student success and the connection between school.
The significance of this research was to study the performance of culturally diverse groups and why the gaps exist in the first place. The school systems currently established were based on the values and beliefs of the existng culture at the time and do not take into account the diversity existing in our school systems today.
The major findings of this study in the article included:

*teachers perceive themselves and the school to be more culturally proficient than the students
*teachers perceive students home as a support
*teachers perceive themselves as culturally proficient
*teachers recognize cultural differences

The findings suggest that achieving cultural proficiency is a journey. We need to be aware it exists to begin to understand how far from proficiency we acturally are. It is important that students are connected to their school and their education. Educational leaders need to engage teachers in positive conversations to support the communities they serve.

My take away...
If we truly want to close the educational gap in the state of California with the complex diverse culturals we have the priveledge of serving...we need to rethink, restructure and redesign our current systems. Students need to be a part of this process along with teachers. We need to look to the future and how we can organize our systems to sustain our student population and grow this upcoming generation. The task is too big for one but together we can make a difference!

Classroom Expectations

I have been researching simple solutions to classroom management and creating ways to support students and staff during these challenging times in education. I was concerned about this last school year as we experienced the first phase of the possibility of school day reduction, furlough and/or cuts in pay.

Given that, my staff thought ahead of the stress that the children may come to school with resulting in a difficult learning environment. They researched possible ways to support students and our site implemented the first phase of Lesson One.

This year we are about to begin our second phase of Lesson One. This program assists students and staff with establishing policy and procedure to be followed school wide. It helps consistency on the campus, through the grades and on all areas of the school campus.

I am by far, not claiming to be an expert in this area. I am interested if anyone has information on Lesson One or any other suggestions for educators on how to become better at what we do. As we grow and change we need to be proactive and know our classroom expectations need to grow and change as well.

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you'll land among the stars!

Simple Solutions to Complex Challenges

I am reading a book by Annette Breaux and Todd Whitaker called 50 Ways to Improve Student Behavior. There are 50 chapters and a workbook focusing on simple solutions to help teachers in the classroom. I am sharing this information because I wish I had access to this book when I was in the classroom. My plans for it currently are to have book club on my campus. My intentions are to break the 50 chapters into 5 weeks of professional development.

"Life could be so wonderful if my students would just behave
But at the rate they're going right now, I'll see an early grave
They talk, they laugh, they hit, they throw
What will I do? I do not know
I beg, I plead, I punish, I scream
Oh help me, please, I'm losing steam

What? You have the answers to get students to behave?
Some simple things that I can do? My sanity you'll save?

Yes, we think that we can help to ease your needless pain
We write this book with you in mind. Allow us to explain
That if you take our words to heart and do what we suggest
We think you'll soon be witnessing behavior at its best!

Annette Breaux and Todd Whitaker

I am excited to work with my staff to help relieve some stress in the classroom during these challenging times in education. Teachers and students are expected to rise to many challenges and I hope this book will give us a few more tools in the teaching toolbox!