Teach AI/AN students through place-based content, culturally familiar interaction patterns, and culturally harmonious assessment integrated with the CCSS¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The report states that success of the CCSS with AI/AN students requires integrating CCSS with local culture-based standards: "teaching concepts through place-based content, drawing on culturally familiar interaction and communication patterns in instruction, and conducting assessment in culturally harmonious ways are all essential." It further recommends teaching literacy skills such as phonemic awareness in meaningful contexts rather than as isolated drills, and supporting heritage languages as learning resources rather than excluding them.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Teachers need understanding of local discourse patterns and protocols for speaking and using language
• A policy climate that supports Native teachers to include the full range of students' linguistic repertoires

Constraints¶

• Standardization works against respect for languages other than English and culturally-responsive forms of assessment, per the report's analysis of dominant reform values

Target Learners¶

• American Indian and Alaska Native students, including heritage-language speakers and speakers of non-standard English varieties

Target Learning Goals¶

• Academic learning in English language arts and mathematics that builds on students' culture-based experiences and ways of learning

Related Strategies¶

• Implement the CCSS with AI/AN students through expanded resources, localization of reform, and specialized extended professional development
• Culture Responsive Instruction
• Culturally Responsive Teaching
• Incorporate Students' Cultural Practices

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Nelson-Barber, S., & Trumbull, E. (2015). The Common Core Initiative, Education Outcomes, and American Indian/Alaska Native Students: Observations and Recommendations [a report from the Center on Standards & Assessment Implementation (CSAI) at WestEd]. San Francisco: WestEd. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED570362