This powerful third edition offers fresh approaches that enable school leaders to engage in effective interactions with students, educators, and the communities they serve.

Create inclusive educational environments that benefit ALL learners! As schools become more diverse with students of differing abilities and needs, this self-reflective and action-oriented guide helps you create and support more inclusive schools and classrooms that intentionally educate all students. Using the Five Essential Elements of Cultural Proficiency as a roadmap, this book presents: Students’ learning differences as just that – differences rather than deficits Strategies that show you how to break though the common barriers to culturally proficient and inclusive schooling Assessments that gauge your awareness and show you how to best serve every student’s needs

As schools become more diverse with students of differing abilities and needs, this self-reflective and action-oriented guide helps create and support more inclusive schools and classrooms that intentionally educate all students.

Integrating the four Tools of Cultural Proficiency with the PLC framework, this guide provides school leaders with practical strategies for building equity-focused PLCs to help all students achieve.

A bold, brain-based teaching approach to culturally responsive instruction To close the achievement gap, diverse classrooms need a proven framework for optimizing student engagement. Culturally responsive instruction has shown promise, but many teachers have struggled with its implementation—until now. In this book, Zaretta Hammond draws on cutting-edge neuroscience research to offer an innovative approach for designing and implementing brain-compatible culturally responsive instruction. The book includes: Information on how one’s culture programs the brain to process data and affects learning relationships Ten “key moves” to build students’ learner operating systems and prepare them to become independent learners Prompts for action and valuable self-reflection

Richard A. Villa and Jacqueline S. Thousand provide an in-depth, research-based guide for ensuring that your school provides the federally guaranteed "least restrictive environment" for students no matter the severity of the challenges they face. Leading an Inclusive School: Access and Success for ALL Students offers administrators, teachers, and other educators working to promote inclusion a wealth of information about • the history and research base of inclusive education in the United States, including pivotal amendments to and reauthorizations of the EHCA, landmark court cases, and the philosophical underpinnings of the movement; • essential curricular and instructional practices for inclusive schools, such as heterogeneous grouping, creative problem solving, and co-teaching; • powerful organizational structures such as Multitiered System of Support and Schoolwide Positive Behavior Supports to help optimize the benefits of differentiation for all students; and • a conceptual framework for coordinating educational initiatives and best practices for educating all students in general education. Also included are vivid personal stories of students with disabilities that illustrate how these students flourish when they learn alongside their general education peers. Educators who are serious about committing to the success of learners at all levels of perceived physical, intellectual, communication, and social/emotional ability will find the examples, advice, and tools in this book indispensable for planning, implementing, and promoting inclusion in their schools.

"This book is a magnificent contribution for advancing change! The Culturally Proficient Journey is one that we must all take if we truly care about and have the will to make a difference in the lives of all children. The authors have provided us with a road map for the journey. The rest is up to us." —Ruth S. Johnson, Professor Emeritus of Education Leadership California State University, Los Angeles Because equitable education for every child is a moral imperative! Providing an excellent education to every child is truly a personal, ethical, and professional obligation for educators, requiring profound change by organizations and individuals. Recognizing that true change begins from within, this compelling book shows how educators can develop a deeper personal understanding of cultural difference while building healthy schools that honor diversity. The authors guide readers to greater awareness of their own underlying values, beliefs, and assumptions about difference, whether based on ethnicity, ability, socio-economic status, or sexual orientation. Readers will learn how to better identify and remove barriers to equity in their classrooms, schools, and districts. This resource provides: An approach to cultural proficiency as a framework for moral action that is grounded in leading thought on ethics and organizational development Reflective exercises for individual study, group learning, and collaborative work Richly detailed case studies that present challenging dilemmas for critical self-reflection and group discussions Gain a new perspective on cultural difference while developing a strong framework for ethical decision-making on equity issues!

This fully updated second edition of The Culturally Proficient School-likely the most influential book yet on improving the learning experience by valuing diversity and cultural dignity- is more relevant, accessible and effective than ever. Incorporating up-to-date research and reader feedback, the new content includes: Instructive vignettes that reflect contemporary truths about educational diversity and moral leadership. Emphasis on skills development, including the art and science of conversation. A conceptual framework that leaves no doubt about the first steps to take towards a more culturally proficient school.

"Leading Change through the Lens of Cultural Proficiency is rooted in the proven tools of Cultural Proficiency and a case study of an actual P-12 school district that contended with its own approach to teaching and valuing students of diverse backgrounds. Using vignettes focused on community engagement, leadership, implementation frameworks, and collaborative professional learning communities, the authors demonstrate and recommend organizational changes necessary for uncovering and remedying inequities like those described above. The book is designed to support school leaders in developing policies and fostering practices that respond to the educational and social needs of all students"--

"This book provides a conceptual framework and practical protocols for recognizing school counselors as change agents for school improvement and equity advocates for all students"-- Provided by publisher.