WHY THE INVESTMENT?

We are creating the backdrop of inquiry regarding the best pedagogy, curriculum, and training needed to support our staff to positively move outcomes, as well as racial and disability disparities of our students.

A well-designed and implemented high-quality teaching and learning process that results in improved student outcomes is a core goal of our school district To meet this goal, an investment in culturally responsive, evidence-based professional learning is required. As we strive to make significant improvements in student outcomes and eliminate racial and disability disparities, as evidenced by the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA), Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment (PASA), and Keystone Exams, we must invest in pedagogy that makes learning more inclusive, relating the lived experiences of our students with the academic concepts they are learning in the classroom

An investment in improved instructional practice is paramount for student success and improved outcomes. If learning is the ultimate goal of teaching, and culture is central to learning, then culturally responsive education presents an opportunity to ensure every child regardless of his or her background has equitable access to the same learning outcomes Hanley and Noblit (2009) offer that “The use of students’ cultural knowledge as the core of instruction is more likely to engage students in learning” (p. 28.). If each child’s culture is valued equally and affirmed evenly through both the content we teach and our methods of delivery, we can essentially provide all students with whatever they need to achieve the desired outcome (On Track to Equity, pg 11)