Culturally Proficient Inquiry: A Lens for Identifying and Examining Educational Gaps
"Provides the information and tools needed to create powerful learning communities in which the academic and co-curricular needs and the well-being of all students are addressed through purposeful inquiry and culturally proficient practices. This text is a must-read for educational leader preparation programs and for all educational leaders who want to make a difference."(Linda Purrington, Director, Educational Leadership Academy 2007-06-04)"The culturally proficient inquiry model provides us with a process for examining the strategies and practices that support or prevent equitable access to learning. Understanding what it means to be culturally proficient and becoming culturally proficient places of learning is fundamental to student success and achievement."(Sharon List, Superintendent 2007-06-27)"Finally, a publication that makes cultural proficiency understandable for school leaders and teaching staffs and provides the practical means for leaders to address cultural proficiency in schools, districts, and communities. A useful how-to guide for this critically important work."(Joseph Condon, Superintendent 2007-07-01)"The authors take a comprehensive approach to educational reform, one that fosters schools' cultural proficiency in four broad areas: assessment and accountability, curriculum and instruction, home-school relations, and teacher professional development. They manage to both convey the magnitude and complexity of the problem of schools underserving their constituencies and illuminate a path to positive change."(Elise Trumball, Educational Researcher 2007-07-02)"An outstanding field manual. It provides the context, framework, and tools for district and school staffs to have 'fierce conversations' about institutional and personal responsibility for closing the achievement gap. A must-read for those serious about educating all students."(General Davie, Jr., Retired Superintendent 2007-07-02)"The authors have created the ultimate practical resource for determining how to make cultural proficiency work in our organizations. A must-have for those of us who are seriously and genuinely committed to going on a journey toward cultural proficiency!"(Tina Small, Director of HRS Workforce and Organization Development 2007-07-09)"The authors effectively empower educators with the knowledge, will, and skill to close educational gaps. This book takes educators on a thorough journey of learning and reflection, examining data, presenting information, discussing best practices, and posing questions. It provides the tools, rubrics, and matrices to help educators review, revise, and measure their practices and progress toward cultural proficiency."(Liebe Geft, Director 2007-07-12)"A change in the rhetoric fromunderperformingstakeholders (be they students, parents, teachers, or staff) tounderservedstakeholders is critically needed. Educators can change the rhetoric and shift the sense of responsibility onto the adults in the system who can do something about closing gaps and thereby educate others on how the deficit model of blaming those who are underperforming does nothing to transform the system to better serve all stakeholders."(Beverly LeMay, Director of Programs 2007-07-12)"What is best about this remarkable book is its constant reminder that the courage to do what is just and right for the 'underserved' comes to those who face the 'brutal facts,' listen to the difficult questions, and seek support and guidance from the educators in the field. This book is an inspiring companion needed now more than ever."(Sidney Morrison, Principal 2007-12-27)