A Framework for Ethnic Studies
This report provides an overview of current best practices for incorporating ethnic studies in social studies courses and identifies important considerations when designing an ethnic studies program. Examples of districts that have integrated ethnic studies into social studies programs, ethnic studies resources, and Oregon specific ethnic studies standards are in the appendices.
Building Literacy with Indigenous Early Learners
This report provided a review of the literature on culturally responsive early childhood programs and best practices in early literacy instruction for Indigenous learners. Strategies include intentional relationship building, culturally responsive teaching practices, and culturally affirming literacy development through oral language and sheltered instruction.
Evaluating Curricula for Culturally Responsive Practices
This report explores existing tools for use in the curriculum adoption process to evaluate instructional material for cultural responsiveness. As the district currently uses The Culturally Responsive Curriculum Scorecard for language arts and social studies, this report focuses on tools targeting math, science, and electives.
The Relationship Between Social-Emotional Learning and Academic Outcome Indicators
This report evaluated the results of a Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) survey of students in grades 3-12. The quantitative analysis explored the relationship between student perceptions of SEL and outcomes that are indicators for academic success, including attendance, behavior, grades, and standardized test scores. Researchers then investigated the extent to which this relationship is influenced by demographic factors.
Equity Considerations for Technology Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic
This research brief outlines considerations and resources for reducing disparities for students who face additional barriers to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, including those with special education or English language development needs. The report addresses equitable access to technology, online instruction, and wraparound resources.
Increasing Teacher Diversity
This report explores the current state of diversity within the teacher workforce in the United States, which is disproportionately White, compared with a student population that is nearly 50% students of color. This report provides background on cultural beliefs that may impact students of color not choosing teaching as a profession. Additionally, several recruitment models are provided including district/university partnerships, community collaborations, and efforts that can be made at the university and college levels. Suggestions are also made for how schools and districts can improve retention of teachers of color, and recommendations are made for a broad implementation of recruitment efforts.
Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and the Seven Cs
This report provides a literature summary of CRP in relation to seven constructs delineated in the Tripod Survey used to measure student perceptions of effective teaching. It finds that the Tripod Survey can be used to measure the efficacy of teacher training programs regarding CRP. This report identifies best practices for school districts and teachers to provide in the classroom when working with culturally diverse students.
Supporting LGBTQ Students
The purpose of this report was to identify best practices for supporting LGBTQ youth in schools, including defining terminology, exploring current disparities of LGBTQ youth, and recommendations regarding programs and curriculum that can be implemented to best serve the needs of LGBTQ students.
Serving Foster and Homeless Students
This literature review defined homelessness, identified support programs required by law, looked closer at the population of homelessness nationwide and in homeless students in Oregon, analyzed the impact homelessness has on students, and discussed additional support teachers and educational staff can use to aid homeless students’ success. This research can help schools better serve their foster and homeless student populations.
Best Practices for Males of Color
Two primary research objectives were requested for this research study: (a) conduct a literature review on the best practices for males of color; and (b) disaggregate and analyze data from a climate survey by race and gender and report differences for males of color.
The Impacts of Equity Training on the Longitudinal Staff Equity Survey
This report included a literature review on equity training programs and analyzed longitudinal survey data to explore the impact of CARE, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and Restorative Justice (RJ) trainings on district participants’ beliefs, attitudes, and corresponding behaviors in their classrooms.
Recruitment and Retention of Teachers and Administrators: Research-Based Best Practices
This report addressed considerations surrounding the recruitment of teachers and administrators and identified reasons for attrition. Recommendations for the recruitment of culturally and linguistically diverse candidates was included.
Year-Round Schools
This report examines the literature on year-round school recommendations, cost for implementation, and the impact year-round school models compared to traditional school as it relates to “summer slide.”
Culturally Responsive Teaching
This report reveals current research-based best practices found in literature surrounding culturally responsive teaching (CRT) that evolved out of culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP). This report also offers recommendations for how to measure the effects of culturally responsive teaching in the classroom.
Equity Professional Development
This report explored recent recommendations for offering PD with an equity lens as well as examined how specific school districts implemented equity-focused PD.
Shifting School Climate to Increase Equity
This literature review offers relevant research and guidance regarding use of school climate surveys, how to gather feedback from all stakeholders (e.g. students, parents, school staff, community members), and suggests school strategies rooted in equity.
Effects of School Dress Code
This report offered an overview of the local and national concerns surrounding school dress code policies. Research surrounding gender-neutral dress codes, school uniforms, female disenfranchisement and sexualization, and other cultural issues surrounding this topic were explored.
Cultivating a Culture of Hope in Education
This report examines the academic and social-emotional benefits that students see when their teachers cultivate a positive school environment and help them develop hope and resiliency in the face of challenges.
Teacher Pipeline: Recruiting and Retaining Teachers of Color
This report explained the measures taken in Oregon and throughout the country to recruit and retain teachers of color and provided information about the challenges and benefits of such efforts. This report also reviewed key components of successful programs designed to recruit and retain teachers of color.
Implicit Biases Towards Students
This report explored how implicit biases affect educators and chronicled measures that school professionals can take in order to address these factors.
The Impact of Culturally Responsive Teaching on Equitable Student Outcomes
This study measured changes in K-12 students’ standardized test scores and numbers of behavioral infractions after a school district began implementing professional development in culturally responsive teaching practices.