Overview

Project Overview

The Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), in collaboration with The Leadership Academy (LA) and leaders from four universities, is currently engaged in the development of a research-based tool aimed at assisting school leaders in comprehending and fostering culturally responsive practices.

In 2021, the team was awarded a 3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES) to design and validate research-based tools that offer educators insights into the dimensions of culturally responsive schooling, as well as varying degrees of engagement. Moreover, the team will contribute to the field by enhancing the understanding of how educators from diverse contexts and education partner groups perceive culturally responsive schooling, the necessary district conditions for effective culturally responsive school practices, and the principal's role in facilitating culturally responsive practices in the face of resistance.

Cultural Responsiveness is defined as the capacity to comprehend cultural disparities, identify potential biases, and transcend differences to collaboratively engage with children, families, and communities whose cultural contexts differ from one's own. The term 'responsive' underscores the ongoing process of not only initiating culturally appropriate practices, but also continuously learning from and adapting to the dynamics of schools and communities.

Built upon the New York State Education Department's Culturally Responsive Leadership Frameworks, the project encompasses the creation of a series of rubrics that encapsulate the core domains of culturally responsive schooling. Additionally, the research teams are actively generating an array of products targeted at both practitioners and academics, which will find their home in the CRS 360° Tool Kit.

Overview of the 360° Tool Kit Pilot Website

We appreciate your visit to the pilot version of our CRS 360° Tool Kit. The CRS 360° Tool Kit has been developed to empower districts and schools to delve profoundly into their adoption of culturally responsive practices. This pilot version encompasses:

• Rubrics & Guides — Enabling various education partners within the school community (including families, students, teachers, school leaders, and district leaders) to contribute their perspectives on the school's current level of engagement with culturally responsive practices. 
• CRS Resource Repository — Curated resources encompassing guidance, tools, and materials that schools can utilize to enhance their understanding of various facets of cultural responsiveness. 
• A Glossary of Terms

We are actively seeking schools to participate in piloting a series of rubrics that delineate different aspects and levels of culturally responsive schooling (CRS), providing them with tailored feedback and resources to bolster their commitment to being culturally responsive to their students, families, and community.

To express your interest in participation, kindly complete this interest form. For further information, please reach out to Carl-Anthony Watson at cawatson@upenn.edu.

Leadership & Partners

Teams