Culture & Climate Addresses Race Education
Culture and climate in education can address race by promoting equality, a sense of belonging, and understanding of cultural differences. This can help create safe spaces for students to discuss race. Schools that ensure that their students, faculty, and staff are welcoming, supportive, and attuned to the benefits of a positive culture and climate are more informed and empowered to have discussions on race. Research has shown that all students (including students of color) who receive continuous, tailored support have positive student social and academic outcomes, including increased school participation, persistence, and graduation rates. What’s more, a district’s commitment to increasing the cultural competency of all its students and faculty has been shown to better prepare students of all racial backgrounds to participate in a diverse democracy.
Available resources (e.g., webinars, Youtube videos, podcasts, and books) listed here apply a race equity lens with the purpose of assisting the school district to become more knowledgeable, more skilled, and more committed to analyzing race, racism, and inclusion.