Date of Award

2023

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Education (Ed.D.)

Department

Administrative and Instructional Leadership

First Advisor

Anthony Annunziato

Second Advisor

Richard Bernato

Third Advisor

James Campbell

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore a suburban school district with a homogenous staff and diverse student population that implemented a professional development program centered on the Cultural Proficiency Framework. Cultural Proficiency is a framework that guides the shifting of culture in schools from viewing diversity as problem to overcome to seeing it as an asset to be celebrated (Lindsey et al., 2009). The data analysis focused on the application of the Essential Elements and Guiding Principles of Cultural Proficiency. The Essential Elements are the standards for individual values and behaviors and organizational policies and practices in a Culturally Proficient organization. The Guiding Principles of Cultural Proficiency provide a moral framework for conducting oneself and organization ethically (Lindsey et al., 2009). he researcher collected data on the knowledge and perceptions of the administrative and teaching staff and examined reports of the physical environment of the district’s school buildings to observe evidence of Culturally Proficient practices. In this case study the researcher examined three different data sources: a) semi-structured interviews with building administrators, b) semi-structured interviews with teachers and c) analysis of district Equity Action Plans and Equity Walk Reports. The findings show the both the positive foundation forming within the district and the struggles the district continues to face in their implementation.

Download

Share

COinS