SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Culture is essential to learning.
(b) Culture plays a role not only in communicating and receiving information, but also in shaping the thinking process of groups and individuals.
(c) A pedagogy that acknowledges, responds to, and celebrates fundamental cultures offers full, equitable access to education for pupils from all cultures.
(d) Culturally responsive teaching is a pedagogy that recognizes the
importance of including pupils’ cultural references in all aspects of learning.
(e) Culturally responsive teaching acknowledges the legitimacy of a pupil’s cultural heritage that shapes dispositions and attitudes.
(f) Culturally responsive teaching builds bridges of meaningfulness between home and school.
(g) Culturally responsive teaching uses a wide variety of instructional strategies that are connected to learning styles.
(h) Culturally responsive teaching incorporates multicultural information, books, and other educational resources.
(i) Culturally responsive teaching promotes the idea of the classroom
family and all pupils are in it together.
(j) Culturally responsive teaching teaches pupils that they can be successful and that they are appreciated by educators who have high expectations of them.
(k) Culturally responsive teaching develops the social consciousness of pupils to better handle the world of prejudice and racism.