Blumberg Center for
Interdisciplinary Studies in Special Education
Project for responsive educational systems
Supporting Tiered Frameworks
General Description
When implementing tiered instruction, districts/schools should consider
two important support components: family, school, and community
partnerships and cultural responsivity.
Family, school, and community partnerships promote student
achievement in tiered frameworks by encouraging school improvement teams
and activities that reflect the school community and by linking
family/community activities to student learning outcomes.
Through these alliances, teachers tailor diverse strategies to
family/community needs and maintain two-way communication and
collaboration. Leaders
should provide professional development focused on sustaining positive
relationships with families and the community.
Cultural responsivity facilitates the achievement of all students
through effective teaching and learning practices grounded in an
awareness of cultural context and the strengths students bring to
school. Cultural
responsivity permeates every aspect of education: curriculum and
instruction, data-based decision making, assessment, communication, and
policy decisions. To support
tiered instruction, educators should recognize the effect of cultural
influences; develop curricula, activities, and interventions considering
students’ backgrounds; and participate in professional development aimed
at developing cultural competence.
Related Resources
Electronic:
Family, School, and Community Partnerships
A New Wave of Evidence:
The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student
Achievement
www.sedl.org/connections/resources/evidence.pdf
About Special Kids (ASK)
www.aboutspecialkids.org
Coalition for Community
Schools. Strengthening
Partnerships: Community School Assessment Checklist
www.communityschools.org/assessmentnew.pdf
Culturally Responsive
Parent Involvement: Concrete Understandings and Basic Strategies
www.aacte.org/Publications/kinggoodwin.pdf
Family to Family
www.inf2f.org
IN*Source
www.insource.org
National Network of
Partnership Schools. Community Connections. Johns Hopkins University
www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/community.htm
National Standards for
Family-School Partnerships: What Parents Schools, and Communities Can Do
Together to Support Student Success from the National PTA
www.pta.org/documents/National_Standards.pdf
Research Brief: Parent
Engagement in Education
www.fscp.org/upload/newsletters/CELL%20research%20brief.pdf
The Indiana Partnerships
Center
www.fscp.org
Cultural Responsivity
Addressing Diversity in Schools: Culturally Responsive Pedagogy
www.nccrest.org/Briefs/Diversity_Brief.pdf?v_document_name=Diversity
Brief
Critical Behaviors and Strategies for Teaching Culturally Diverse
Students
www.hoagiesgifted.org/eric/e584.html
Cultural, Social, and Historical Frameworks that Influence Teaching and
Learning in U.S. Schools
www.nccrest.org/events/Cultural_social_and_historical_frameworks.pdf
IRIS Center module
Cultural and Linguistic Differences: What Every Teacher should Know
iris.peabody.vanderbilt.edu/clde/chalcycle.htm
National Center for
Culturally Responsive Education Systems
www.nccrest.org
Culturally Responsive Literacy Instruction
www.nccrest.org/Briefs/Literacy_final.pdf?v_document_name=Literacy final
Printed:
Family, School, Community
Partnerships
Christenson, S. L, & Sheridan, S. M. (2001). Schools and families:
Creating essential connections for learning. New York, NY:
Guilford Press.
Constantino, S.
(2003). Engaging all families: Creating a positive school culture by
putting research into practice. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Education.
Epstein, J., et
al. (2002). School, family, and community partnerships: Your handbook
for action. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Henderson, A.
T., Mapp, K. L., & Davies, D. (2007). Beyond the bake sale:
The essential guide to family-school partnerships. New York, NY:
W. W. Norton & Company.
Sanders, M. G.
(in press). "Collaborating for Student Success: A Study of the Role of
'Community' in Comprehensive School, Family, and Community Partnership
Programs." Elementary School
Journal.
Cultural Responsivity
Biddle, B. J. (ed.). (2001). Social Class, Poverty, and Education:
Policy and Practice. New York: Rutlege and Farmer.
Gaitan, C. D. (2006). Building
culturally responsive classrooms: A guide for K-6 teachers.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Gay, G. (2000). Culturally
responsive teaching: theory, research, & practice. New York:
Teachers College Press.
Irvine, J. J., & Armento, B. (Eds.).
(2001). Culturally responsive
teaching: Lesson planning for elementary and middle grades. New
York: McGraw-Hill.
Lindsey, R. B., Roberts, L. M., &
Campbelljones, F. (2005). The
culturally proficient school: an implementation guide for school
leaders. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Robins, K. N., Lindsey R. B., Lindsey D. B., & Terrell, R. D. (2006).
Culturally proficient
instruction: A guide for people who teach. Thousand Oaks, CA:
Corwin Press.
Shade, B. J., Kelly, C., & Oberg, M. (1998).
Creating culturally responsive classrooms. Washington, D.C.:
American Psychological Association.
