Culturally Responsive Leadership

An NAESP task force has identified policies and practices proven effective in ensuring equity for all students in a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse society.
Communicator
November 2018, Volume 42, Issue 3

NAESP’s Diversity Task Force launched with the goal of identifying policies and practices proven effective in ensuring equity for all students in a racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse society. NAESP has now compiled the task force’s initial findings in “The Principal’s Guide to Building Culturally Responsive Schools.”

The primer on transforming schools offers the following recommendations for advancing culturally responsive leadership:

  1. Conduct individual and buildingwide self-assessments. Complete an inventory such as the Intercultural Development Inventory and engage in “Who Am I?” exercises to help identify the cultural, philosophical, and social factors that create the context for individual belief systems.
  2. Create a positive climate and culture by promoting inclusivity and positive relations among students, among teachers and staff, and among students and adults.
  3. Explore innovative ways to reach the community—especially families—to tap into their strengths, keep them better informed, and involve them in creating and sustaining a positive climate and culture.

Other sections in the report are “Diversifying Student and Adult Capacity to Transform Schools,” “Utilizing Assets to Ensure Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning,” and “Developing Awareness and Leading the Charge to Provide Diverse Opportunities for All Students.” Download a copy.

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