Developing Critical Cultural Competence
A Guide for 21st-Century Educators
- Jewell E. Cooper - The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
- Ye He - The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
- Barbara B. Levin - The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, USA
Foreword by Christine Sleeter
"Developing Critical Cultural Competence provides educators with the inspiration, knowledge, and tools to move from theory to action in seeking to eliminate the achievement gap."
—Bess Scott, Director of Elementary Education
Lincoln Public Schools, NE
"As I read this book, it became clear that my long-held belief about the meaning of cultural competence needed a makeover. I am now convinced that my personal definition of diversity should embrace a much deeper appreciation of differences and transformative action."
—Denise Carlson, Curriculum Consultant
Heartland Area Education Agency, Johnston, IA
Cultural competence is key to improved student achievement
The increasingly diverse nature of today's schools and the need to increase the achievement of all students, no matter their background, requires 21st-century teachers to develop critical cultural competence. Looking at data is not enough. We have to know who our students are! This book shows you how to provide professional development that deepens teachers' cultural understanding. Developing Critical Cultural Competence helps educators translate new knowledge into action with activities that focus on the three inseparable insights required for developing teachers' critical cultural competency:
- Understanding themselves
- Understanding their students
- Understanding their students' families and communities
In addition to the activities are reflection questions, group discussion questions, online extensions for facilitators, and a sample professional development plan. A companion website provides reproducible resource lists and handouts as well as examples that can serve as models for some of the activities.
“This book offers a coherent collection of theories and practices for a strong multicultural teacher education. It would act as a useful text or starting place for an entire course.”
“As I read this book, it became clear that my long-held belief about the meaning of cultural competence needed a makeover. I am now convinced that my personal definition of diversity should embrace a much deeper appreciation of differences and transformative action.”
“This book effectively describes the importance of individual teachers learning about themselves as a person in order to clearly differentiate for students in the classroom.”
“With a clear theme of preparing educators for teaching diverse learners and creating critical cultural competence, the author hooks the reader and entices them to continue the journey of developing cultural responsiveness in the classroom and community.”
“Developing Critical Cultural Competence offers a rich resource of information and activities for professional development that supports cultural understanding and goes beyond the assumptions and myths that often surround the diverse student populations in our nation’s schools.”
“Developing Critical Cultural Competence provides educators with the inspiration, knowledge, and tools to move from theory to action in seeking to eliminate the achievement gap."
