Culturally Responsive Teaching

Learn more about how to use students’ customs, characteristics, experience, and perspectives as tools for better classroom instruction

Explainer

conceptual illustration of a classroom with colorful roots growing beneath the surface under the teacher and students
What Is Culturally Responsive Teaching?
Here's what it means to be a culturally responsive teacher and where critical race theory ties in—or not.
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Conceptual illustration of culturally diverse people
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Curriculum Are These ELA Programs Culturally Responsive? (And Who Gets to Decide, Anyway?)
Reviewers said the materials present one-sided narratives and use dehumanizing language to refer to characters of color.
Sarah Schwartz, October 26, 2022
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8 min read
Diverse elementary students sitting in a circle and talking to a Black male teacher.
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Teaching Profession Q&A Award-Winning Teachers Are Pushing Back Against Attacks on 'Honest Education'
They plan to host conversations, educate school boards, and write op-eds about why affirming, culturally responsive classrooms matter.
Madeline Will, October 24, 2022
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8 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Teachers, Be Brave in the Face of Unjust Laws
Particularly in these politically fraught times, all students need to be exposed to literature that invites diverse perspectives.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 19, 2022
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9 min read
Equity & Diversity Spotlight Spotlight on Equity in Education
This Spotlight will empower you with insights for promoting DE&I, an analysis of the challenges facing advancements in equity, and more.

October 17, 2022
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion 10 Ways to Foster a More Culturally Responsive English Class
Start by uncovering your own biases and making students feel safe.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 17, 2022
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15 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Social Studies Opinion How to Adopt a Culturally Responsive Mindset
Enrich your classroom—and students’ lives—by including different sources and infusing meaningful interaction with the material into lessons.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 6, 2022
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7 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Social Studies Opinion 8 Practical Ideas for Teaching Social Studies in Culturally Responsive Ways
Getting to know your students and drawing attention to untold stories are just two of the suggestions that educators offer.
Larry Ferlazzo, October 3, 2022
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11 min read
Sabin Middle School student Marvionna J., center, works with classmates Marcus Q. and Aaron A. to identify evidence from the indentured servant letter.
Middle school student Marvionna J., center, works with classmates Marcus Q. and Aaron A. to identify evidence from an indentured servant letter in a 2018 social studies class at Sabin Middle School in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Nathan W. Armes for Education Week
Equity & Diversity Censoring Race and Racism Lessons Defies Best Practice and May Be Unlawful, Report Argues
A teachers' union and a lawyers' alliance marshal legal and pedagogical evidence for racially inclusive and culturally responsive teaching.
Eesha Pendharkar, September 29, 2022
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7 min read
Collage image of classroom and Chicago skyline.
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Curriculum Off-the-Shelf or Custom-Made? Why Some Districts Are Designing Their Own Curriculum
Advocates say the homegrown materials better reflect the cities where they live and the students they serve.
Sarah Schwartz, September 29, 2022
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10 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Social Studies Opinion 18 Ways to Make Social Studies Class More Culturally Responsive
Educators share ways to make students feel more welcome in the classroom while also helping them develop "critical consciousness."
Larry Ferlazzo, September 29, 2022
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17 min read
The East Anchorage High and Scammon Bay students gather at a home in the Native Village to learn how to comb fur from a musk ox hide using special combs and common forks. The fur can later be spun into yarn.
Students from East Anchorage High School and Scammon Bay, Alaska, gather to learn how to comb fur from a musk ox hide through a federally funded cultural and educational program for Alaska Native students.
Erin Irwin/Education Week
Education Funding Grants Aim to Support Alaska Native Students' Education, Well-Being
The U.S. Department of Education is providing more than $35 million for projects in its latest round of funding.
Libby Stanford, September 6, 2022
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2 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
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Teaching Opinion Christopher Emdin, Gholdy Muhammad, and More Education Authors Offer Insights to the Field
Want to know about culturally responsive teaching? Teaching kids to thrive? Scores of interviews highlight those topics and more.
Larry Ferlazzo, August 17, 2022
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7 min read
Banned books
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Social Studies Florida Is Placing Limits on Social Studies Textbooks. Here’s What Has to Go
Earlier this year, Florida drew national attention for rejecting math textbooks. Could the same happen with social studies?
Ileana Najarro, July 14, 2022
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5 min read
Image shows a young student working on a laptop with a teacher.
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Science How to Close the STEM Achievement Gap for Indigenous Students: Feature Local Culture
Study examines factors that will positively impact Indigenous students' STEM proficiency.
Lauraine Langreo, June 28, 2022
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2 min read
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