Cultural Competency in Schools
The Action for Education Leadership Program of 2001 will require all school leaders to complete a Cultural Competency training starting in 2007. Eugene teachers already receive Cultural Competency training thanks to a previous grant. A Bill requested by the Governor would extend such training requirements to all licensed teachers in the State. The Bill passed the Senate on a 25 to 3 vote, and is awaiting a hearing in the House Education Committee. According a recent Associated Press story this week (Republicans may trap bill on ‘cultural competency' for teachers), the Bill is unlikely to become law. This raises important issues that must receive ongoing attention on the local level. Nadia has years of experience dealing with issues like these.
We need to implement this into our school systems. This is one of the most important and painful issues facing every immigrant to this country! They need to have schools that respect & understand their children's background and ethnicity, comprehending the dynamic effects of policies and behaviors on children’s self esteem. Cultural Competency promotes valuable assets and educational sensitivity to the cultures and religions of all students. It'll help to deter the bullying and hate crimes. We also need to recruit teachers from all diverse backgrounds. That would certainly restore the students’ & families’ confidence in the school system.
While I was researching and meeting with community members to gather information about their concerns and issues regarding the schools, one member of the Russian community approached and encouraged me to run for the School Board. He told me our children need to identify with some one like them in this position of leadership; someone with an accent, different skin color and language. Understanding the experiences of immigrant and diverse communities is key to effective policy making; that is one of my personal strengths and why I support efforts to foster cultural competency on every level.
We need to implement this into our school systems. This is one of the most important and painful issues facing every immigrant to this country! They need to have schools that respect & understand their children's background and ethnicity, comprehending the dynamic effects of policies and behaviors on children’s self esteem. Cultural Competency promotes valuable assets and educational sensitivity to the cultures and religions of all students. It'll help to deter the bullying and hate crimes. We also need to recruit teachers from all diverse backgrounds. That would certainly restore the students’ & families’ confidence in the school system.
While I was researching and meeting with community members to gather information about their concerns and issues regarding the schools, one member of the Russian community approached and encouraged me to run for the School Board. He told me our children need to identify with some one like them in this position of leadership; someone with an accent, different skin color and language. Understanding the experiences of immigrant and diverse communities is key to effective policy making; that is one of my personal strengths and why I support efforts to foster cultural competency on every level.
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