Culturally Responsive Instruction: Elements of Success
EEND and MSED-692

Introduces the elements of culturally responsive pedagogy and how to use these elements to address the instructional needs of the diverse student population.  Candidates will learn how to create a student-centered, collaborative environment that promotes student achievement.

College of Education Mission

The mission of the College of Education is to prepare competent and caring educators who understand students, serve the community and develop professionally to become ethical decision-makers and leaders.

Understanding Students

Candidates will develop an understanding that Culturally Responsive Teaching “is a pedagogy that recognizes the importance of including students’ cultural references in all aspects of learning (Ladson-Billings, 1994). Candidates will learn that Culturally Responsive Teaching involves several elements: a culturally competent teacher, a culturally responsive classroom environment, and culturally responsive pedagogy.

Serving the Community

Candidates will learn how to effectively use cultural diversity to create student-centered instruction that takes into account students’ families and neighborhood. Additionally, Candidates will learn how to bridge cultural differences through effective communication, both student to student, and school to parents.

Finding Our Professional Selves

Candidates will develop an understanding of the importance of Culturally Responsive Instruction when creating instructional plans for all students, as well as a culturally responsive environment. Candidates will have the opportunity to apply new knowledge of Culturally Responsive Instruction to classroom activities, lesson plans, and curriculum. Candidates will also demonstrate the ability to communicate their ideas about Culturally Responsive Instruction by interacting with colleagues in a professional manner.

Access to standards referenced in this section can be found HERE

By the conclusion of the course, each participant will be able to do the following:

1. Recognize the elements of culturally responsive education and its implementation (CREDE 1,2,4; NBPTS 1,2,3,4,5).
2. Recognize how culturally responsive education impacts student achievement (CREDE 3; NBPTS 1,2,3,4)
3. Describe the characteristics of culturally competent teachers (CREDE 3,4,5; NBPTS 1,2,3,4,5)
4. Develop a culturally responsive classroom environment (CREDE 3,4,5; NBPTS 1,3,4,5)
5. Apply knowledge of culturally responsive instruction by modifying current lesson plans to reflect culturally responsive elements (CREDE All, NBPTS 1,2,3,4)
6. Apply knowledge of culturally responsive instruction to design culturally responsive pedagogy for the classroom (CREDE All, NBPTS All)

Students should use the MyUSF portal as the first resource for guidance and support on items such as student complaints, safety, security and transportation questions, contact information for various USF departments, student support services such as counseling and academic resources. Information on these resources can be found in the For Students section of the MyUSF portal.

• A complete listing of university policies and procedures can be found in the University of St. Francis Catalog and Student Handbooks. Students are expected to follow all policies in the USF Catalog and Student Handbook, both of which can be found in the student portal.
• Students are expected to be familiar with and follow the various procedures and guidelines regarding USF’s COVID-19 Response, including the USF Preparedness Plan and other materials incorporated in the Saints United resource hub (https://www.stfrancis.edu/saints-united/).
• Policies not covered in this document will be handled in accordance with the USF Catalog, Student Handbook, and Program Handbook as applicable.

Academic integrity requires that all academic work be wholly the product of an identified individual or individuals. Collaboration is only acceptable when it is explicitly acknowledged. Ethical conduct is the obligation of every member of the University community, and breaches of academic integrity constitute serious offenses. Since a lack of integrity hinders the student’s academic development, it cannot be tolerated under any circumstances. Violations include but are not limited to: cheating, fabrication, facilitating academic dishonesty, plagiarism, and denying others access to information or material. See the University of St. Francis Catalog for further clarification and information on grievance procedures.

The University strives to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA). A student who requires special accommodations or arrangements due to a disability should contact the Office of Accessibility Services. This contact preferably should occur no later than the first week of classes. Early contact before the semester starts is encouraged to allow sufficient time to provide accommodations. Extra time is needed for some types of accommodations such as sign language interpreters or special text formatting. Should a need arrive after the start of a semester; the student is encouraged to contact the Office of Accessibility Services as soon as possible. Note that accommodations are not retroactive. Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations.

USF is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students in its programs, regardless of the course format. If you have a documented disability and need a reasonable accommodation to participate in a course, complete course requirements, or benefit from the University’s programs or services, please contact the Office of Accessibility Services at 815-740-3631 or [email protected] . The Office of Accessibility Services is located on the third floor of Tower Hall in room N320. Consultations are welcome; please contact the Office of Accessibility Services for an appointment.

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1. 24x7 Live Canvas Support. Canvas has a 24 hour support by clicking on ? Help while in Canvas. You can Chat with Canvas Support, Report a Problem, or call the Canvas Support Hotline. If you experience technical difficulties or have a question about Canvas, you can receive support 24 hours a day seven (7) days a week through the Canvas help menu. From the help menu; select Report a Problem to send an email support request, select Chat with Canvas Support (Student) for a “live” text-based click-to-chat session, or to speak to someone directly use the toll-free number listed under the Canvas Support Hotline (Student). NOTE: Responses to Canvas’ email based Report a Problem request system will go to your USF stfrancis.edu email account, NOT your personal email.
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For any technical support issues that are not related to Canvas, you can also contact the USF Technology Support Center (TSC). You can reach them via:

• Phone: 1-815-768-TECH (8324)
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: techsupport.stfrancis.edu
• Or visit them on the first floor of Marian Hall

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) located in Room N316 in Tower Hall (815-740-5060 or [email protected]) offers various types of academic services.  Online and distance learning students can contact ARC for appropriate resources.  ARC serves students who need tutoring in many areas of study including writing and math.  Library services include a number of online services and full text databases.  Call the Library at 815-740-5041 for additional information.  If you need academic-related resources or assistance, please contact the Academic Resource Center.